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J!" , PRIMER SERIES 



HOW TO BECOME AN 

ATHLETE 



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UK 18.18 




JAMES E. SULLIVAN. 
Secretary American Committee, Sixth Olympic Games; Secretary of the Amateur 
Athletic Union of the United States; Director of Athletics. Panama- 
Pacific International Exposition. San Francisco, Cal. 



Spalding's Primer Series 
No. 3P 



HOW TO BECOME AN 

ATHLETE 



BY 

JAMES E. SULLIVAN, 

Secretary American Committee, Sixth Olympic Games; 

Secretary Amateur Athletic Union of the United 

States; Director of Athletics, Panama-Pacific 

International Exposition, San Francisco, Cal. 



Published by 

AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING COMPANY 

21 Warren Street, New York 



Q\)n 









Copyright, 1916 

BY 

American Sports Publishing Company 
New York 



I 







©CI.A453052 

DEC 13 1916 

n^ I - 



Spalding's athletic library 



Introduction 

It will be the purpose of these pages to give an insight 
as to the best and easiest methods of becoming versed in 
the various pastimes, as well as such matters can be learned 
from a book and if followed by practice along the lines 
suggested. 

Some boys are natural born performers and achieve 
results at any named sport with such great ease that the 
lad to whom such matters come hard is sometimes dis- 
couraged, and feels called upon to give over his inclina- 
tion to become as good as the other fellow. To such we 
would say, show your stick-to-it-ive-ness to the end of shap- 
ing a strong, never-say-die character which will be help^- 
ful in after life, if it doesn't aid in making an athlete. 

If it develops that you have ability, it is a good thing 
to be conscious of it, but not to the end of showing pos- 
session of the "big head," that most dangerous condition 
prevalent among athletes. To know of one's ability without 
forcing the knowledge on opponents greatly aids an 
athlete's future, and helps to make him a good loser, and 
there's nothing more desired in track and field sport, 
aside from high-class performers and winners, than good 
losers; fellows who come up smiling and are always ready 
to learn to improve. 

The question has often been put to me: "At what age 
should a boy take up athletics ?" 

The answer is : As play, at almost any age — the earlier 
the better — but at first as play and with no set ideas of 
following the training rules of any game. 

Eight at the outset I want to point out that many boys 
who had to me all the earmarks of prospective champions 
have been ruined — athletically— by being put to tasks which 
were far beyond their poweus wo early in their careers. 



4 SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

Long before they had learned to do things of an athletic 
nature as a matter of course and in a manner perfectly 
easy and natural to them, they have been set to running 
trials against a watch with a given time the object. 

If they did the performance asked for, an even greater 
task would be suggested. If they failed they were con- 
tinued at the task with failure the usual result, so that 
right at the beginning of many careers boys have been 
discouraged by being asked to do too much. 

In the hands of many men a timing watch is a danger- 
ous thing. If, as is usually the case, time too fast is 
returned as the result of a trial, and the athlete enters 
a contest because he feels he has a chance on account 
of it and is beaten in slower time, he often becomes dis- 
couraged. 

On the other hand if he is "clocked" slow he similarly 
loses heart and is guided to a decision to quit the "game." 
Therefore, my advice to young athletes is, don't become 
inoculated with the "time trial bug;" rather match your 
pace against your fellows and don't worry about time. 
Beat your man. That will win more prizes than "beating^' 
a watch. 

The desire to do fast time on the part of an athlete 
before he has really learned the proper style of running 
is wrong. He should perfect himself in a style which 
should be like second nature to him, and of such a type 
that he shouldn't have to think whether it's right or not. 

The same thing applies to any game in the line of track 
and field athletics. Once the athlete has mastered form, 
the most needed factor aside from ability in the making 
of an athlete, he will be in line "to do things," and he 
will find such pleasure in the doing that is not in the 
make-up of the lad who has not mastered the all im- 
portant detail. 



Spalding's athletic library 



Athletics 

"Athletics" is a term used when referring to athletic 
events that are held on track and field — both indoor and 
outdoor — and comprise Running, Walking, Hurdling, 
Jumping of all kinds and Weight Throwing. 

It is claimed by some experts that athletics comprise 
all forms of athletic activities, such as base ball, foot ball, 
rowing, tennis and any type of outdoor or indoor games 
that man enters into. But, nevertheless, "athletics,^ the 
world over, applies only to track and field sports as enum- 
erated above. 

Children are naturally athletic, and soon after the boy 
is able to creep, he will waik, and soon after he starts to 
walk, he will run. Therefore, at an early age he becomes 
athletic, and it is always wise to take hold of the boy when 
he is at school. 

From the age of ten to sixteen it is safe to start explain- 
ing to the boy how to do things in athletics, but never 
to train him as the expert is trained. Never allow him to 
sap his vitality by over-indulgence in competition. Let 
his early days in athletics be of the play type. Let him 
run short distances, throw the boy's Javelin, the boy's 
discus, jump, make up relay teams and take part in the 
games, so that when he is old enough he will en+er into the 
expert class and be familiar with the various activities. 

There is probably no system in the world that is as near 
perfect as that of the Public Schools Athletic League, 
which conducts the after-school athletic activities of the 
boys in the public schools of the great City of New York, 
with its 800,000 or more school children. 

In the Department of Education certain work is pre- 
scribed along athletic lines in the lower grades that makes 
the boys proficient in everything pertaining to running, 
jumping, shot putting and weight throwing of all kinds. 



6 

Another question often comes np : "What is the proper 
age for a boy to be scientifically trained?" 

That has been a hard question to answer, because of 
the different types of boys we have at the same age. 

Occasionally we have a boy at the age of sixteen that 
presents all the physical qualities of a man of twenty-one. 
And, on the other hand, we find boys at school at the age 
of nineteen or twenty who lack the physical qualities of 
other boys of fourteen or fifteen. Therefore, each group 
of boys at the school must be handled separately and 
individually. 

I have always felt that it is detrimental to the boy's 
athletic career to have him scientifically trained before 
he has arrived at the age of eighteen. Prior to that his 
training should be simply of the play type. 

Never allow the boys to be dieted, or, in other words, 
do not allow them to be all used up by the time they are 
old enough to enter the expert class and strive for athletic 
honors. 

It is a matter of record that many wonderful schoolboys 
have been ruined by over-competition and too much train- 
ing while at school, and usually we find that the expert 
schoolboy is not the expert in his prep school or college 
or in open club competition. Therefore, it is always good 
judgment not to allow a youngster to take part in any 
competition that will sap his energy. 

Before becoming proficient or before entering into com- 
petition, one's health must be considered, and the first 
step is to have physical examination by one's family 
physician as to one's general health. 

If your physician pronounces you in a healthy condition 
no danger will come from competing. 

It is then one's duty to perfect his body for scientific 
training and that means that you must take light exer- 
cise at the start, walk plenty, use light dumb bells and 
light indian clubs and in that way bring your system to 



Spalding's athletic library 7 

a point where it can stand the strain of scientific training 
for hard races. 

It is, of course, an important thing to watch out for 
one's diet. Eat only wholesome food. The old-time idea 
of training on a strict diet is now discarded by the world's 
best trainers and in its place on the training table is 
found only good, wholesome, digestible food. 

As a matter of fact an athlete can eat anything of a 
wholesome nature that is provided for him at his home 
table, except that he must not over-indulge in food that 
is too fattening. 

Eat plenty of wholesome roast beef, beef steaks and 
Iamb chops, potatoes, bread, milk occasionally and plenty 
of water. Eat what you like and what is healthy. 

Of course, liquors, wines or beers are absolutely of no 
value and should not be touched, and tobacco is detri- 
mental to any athlete. ISTo one should consider for a 
moment the smoking of cigarettes, cigars or pipe. 

In other words, lead the ^'^simple life" — an out-of-door 
life, and get plenty of sleep. 

If one desires to excel, it requires plenty of perseverance 
and doggedness, which defeat cannot drive from him. 
Only faithful and persistent training will win for an 
athlete a place in the championship class. 

While the world has some great sprinters I think it is 
one of the hardest competitions on an athlete, for the 
simple reason that it takes so long for a man to excel and 
he only excels after hard and constant training. 

It is true we have had some men come to us natural 
born sprinters, but more of them have been made sprinters. 

A boy who takes to sprinting, as in any other branch 
of track and field athletics, must develop a perfect 
body before he can become expert, and it is well for one 
to settle down months, and sometimes a year, in advance 
for his preliminary work. 

The best method of training for weight throwing, and 



8 Spalding's athletic library 

under this head comes the hammer, shot, 56-lb. weight, 
discus and javelin, is actual indulgence in each particular 
event itself. The more frequently an athlete throws his 
favorite weight the more accustomed his muscles will 
become to the necessary rhythm and the quicker his brain 
will act in unison with the exertion of his body. 

Of course, there is such a thing as overdoing these 
exercises and care must be taken that only the amount 
which induces improvement be allowed. One of the great- 
est evils of athletic training is staleness, and it can only 
be avoided by moderate amount of practice taken 
judiciously. 

Until an athlete has mastered a smooth style at the 
weights he should never attempt to do his best. He should 
always remember that in throwing the hammer and 56-lb. 
weight the first turn should be very slow and the second 
and third as fast as his muscular power and activity permit. 

In putting the shot, he should get the weight of his 
shoulder behind the final "heave-off." 

The discus thrower must keep in mind to make the 
final sweep on the arm an uppercut instead of a down- 
ward cut, as is commonly seen in America. 

The javelin should be thrown from the run and the 
final effort should be off the front leg with the body 
erect. 

For years a fallacy prevailed among the old professional 
coaches that it was necessary for the weight thrower to 
do some running daily, and many a fine, promising per- 
former had the life shaken out of him by advice of this 
kind. It never occurred to the old mentors that the 
exercise an athlete took with the weights gave his legs 
the required amount of work. 

If a weight man should want to improve the springy 
action of his legs he will find it beneficial to work with 
a squad of sprinters practising starts, or do a little high 
jumping. A little rope skipping will be found to impart 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY U 

more spring to an athlete's calves than if he ran his 
legs off. Walking is to be recommended to a weight 
thrower, but running — never. 

While, in these days of advanced athletics, nearly every 
elementary school, public school, college and club have 
trainer's who go about their work along approved lines, 
it is nevertheless true that some of the greatest athletes 
we have ever had in America, and many of them record 
holders, were men who never received the slightest tuition 
from a professional trainer. 

They became members of the smaller athletic clubs, 
and trained for the pleasure they could get out of athletics ; 
read whatever books they could possifely get on the subject 
of athletics, and made their athletics play. This was 
particularly true of the members of clubs organized in 
the early eighties. Some of these clubs were made up 
of young working boys, who believed in athletics and took 
part in all competitions for the fun there was in it. 

They trained intelligently, and aside from competing 
in every set of games that came along, became proficient 
by watching others at the games. Further than this, by 
taking care of themselves, living the right kind of a life, 
and taking plenty of exercise, they laid the foundation 
which has aided them in after life. 

Some of the men developed in these small clubs, in their 
day were of championship caliber, and, even to-day, if they 
were in competition, would play an important part 
in athletic circles. Perhaps they would not be American 
or world's champions, but they would figure prominently 
in American championship events. 

Thirty-five or forty years ago the professional trainer 
prepared a man for competition very much after the 
fashion a horse was trained. He dieted him, physicked 
him, and worked him almost unceasingly. The athlete 
had certain hours to sleep, certain hours to work, and 
certain thino^s to do which tended to make athletics a bore. 



10 Spalding's athletic library 

That system has all been changed. There is no more 
physicking or dieting, and athletics are run on the basis 
of "make the athletes enjoy themselves." 

Everything tends toward play. The strict training table 
is practically out of existence to-day. An athlete can eat 
most anything he wants to, but he must abstain from 
fatty foods, and things that are indigestible. He must 
realize that under no circumstances must he use tobacco, 
or any form of intoxicants. Such must be tabooed as 
though they were poison. They have no value, absolutely. 
It cannot be gainsaid that what the average athlete wants 
most is daily exercise and a proper amount of sleep. 

We have had some trainers in America who would ad- 
vise a glass of wine or a glass of beer when an athlete was 
over-trained, or what we call "fine." I have never believed 
in that system. I have always felt that when an athlete 
is fine, or over-trained, he should lay off from his practice 
for a couple of weeks. I know of one athlete who over- 
trained, and reduced his weight from 155 to 132 pounds, 
in preparation for a mile race. As a matter of fact, he was 
so weak from starving himself that on the day of his race 
he could hardly jog a mile, let alone run a hard race. 

Don't permit anyone to influence you if your system is 
run down that an alcoholic stimulant is necessary. It will 
not do you a particle of good. If you feel you have been 
over-trained, take a rest, and you will come back to health 
in a normal way. If you don't feel like running a half 
mile, quarter mile, mile or five miles when you come to 
the field, do not do it. It is all very well to say that some 
men must be driven, but any athlete who needs to be 
driven rarely succeeds. 

The way to get along in athletics is to make it your 
play. Do it in your own way, and on your own time. 
If you wait until the time comes when you feel like getting 
down to hard work, and then train faithfully, you will get 
better results. 



Spalding's athletic library 11 

After having had preliminary training, and preliminary 
training naturally means plenty of outdoor or indoor 
work so that the body is in perfect condition, and after 
proving to yourself that you are physically fit, it is then 
to your advantage to begin to think over what you are 
going to specialize for. Whether it be sprinting, middle 
distance or long distance running, jumping, or weight 
throwing that you have decided you will try, careful atten- 
tion should then be given to that particular form of 
athletics. 

There have been many men throughout the world who 
were remarkable all-around athletes, men who could sprint 
fairly well, jump, hurdle, run distance and throw the 
weight, but in these days of advanced athletics, it is a good 
thing to specialize and become proficient in one branch 
of athletics, of course not necessarily in one event only, 
but in two or three events that harmonize. 

As a matter of fact, there is little doubt that with a 
little faithful training the average good sprinter could 
become a good hurdler and jumper. We have had many 
sprinters who could hurdle and jump well enough to win 
championships in each event, but in order to excel and 
win championships in any one of these events nowadays 
a man would have to be a good sound performer. 



12 Spalding's athletic libraby 



Sprinting 

How to succeed as a sprinter. The first requisite neces- 
sary to impress upon the would-be athlete^ no matter what 
event he has decided to try for, is that in order to suc- 
ceed he must first have a sound body. Without this, 
failure is almost certain. Perfect your body first should 
be the slogan and then training will be comparatively easy. 
For thirty years America has excelled at sprinting. Many 
old-time trainers look upon sprinting as the most im- 
portant feature of an athletic meeting. 

It is a well known fact that the late "Mike" Murphy, 
who successfully trained two American Olympic teams and 
other International teams, would rather have his men win 
the 100 yards and 220 yards races than any other event 
on the programme. Americans contend that there is some- 
thing about sprinting that appeals to the American 
athletes. 

The great number of high class sprinters developed in 
America is perhaps due to the fact that we have so many 
gymnasiums and playgrounds in which athletics are con- 
ducted, and also to the fact that nearly every American 
boy feels that he can develop into a good sprinter. That 
is probably why we have so many such men. As I have 
said before, I think sprint running is especially adapted 
to the temperament of American athletes, and Mike 
Murphy, Lawson Robertson, Jack Moakley, A. F. Copeland 
and other American trainers have said the same. 

Now, as to an athlete's size and build. In years gone 
by how often have we heard different men in athletics re- 
mark, upon seeing an athlete perform for the first time, 
"that fellow will make a good sprinter; he is close on to 
six feet, well built and with long legs." Then when they 
might see a short, stocky built fellow, they would say he 
should make a good Jumper, pole vaulter, or gymnast. 



spaldikg's athletic library 13 

That was the old idea, but during the past twenty-five 
years such a manner of selection has undergone a change, 
because we have had sprint champions who have been 
short, small fellows, and big, rangy fellows as well; we 
have had short, stocky mile runners, and tall, lean ones, 
so that the time has gone when we can pick a man upon 
his appearance physically. 

Some of the greatest sprinters ever developed have been 
short men, and some have been the opposite in size. 
Quarter milers have come to ns long and lanky, and short 
and stocky, so there is no set standard to go by. It is 
up to the man himself. Usually a man will succeed if he 
follows the particular sport, distance or event that he is 
fond of, and adapts himself to. Sprinting, I think, is the 
hardest game to excel at and there is less chance of suc- 
ceeding than in the half mile, mile or jumps. It is quite 
true that sprinting is not so tedious for an athlete as run- 
ning distance, but faithful training is necessary to per- 
fect one in the sprinting game. 

After a youngster has proven conclusively that he is 
physically fit and desires to take up sprinting, the first 
and most important part of his work is that of perfecting 
the start — leaving the mark. The start is the all im- 
portant thing in sprint running, and one must master the 
art of starting properly or he cannot possibly succeed. 
The standing upright start which was universal twenty- 
five years ago is obsolete to-day in sprint races. The 
*'crouch," which should be called the "Kangaroo" or "Aus- 
tralian" start, is the perfect and up-to-date method of 
starting. 

This peculiar style of starting, known in America as 
the "crouch" start, has been, in recent years, a subject of 
much discussion as to where it was first used. This man, 
and that, claimed that he originated the "crouch." It 
is a well known fact that the author of this little handbook 
took up the question with Mr. Eichard Coombes, editor of 



14 Spalding's athletic library 

the Sydney Referee of Australia, because the writer felt 
that the "crouch" start came from Australia to America, 
and then went to England and other European countries. 
For several years, Mr. Coombes, without doubt one of the 
greatest experts on athletics in the world, conducted a 
thorough investigation of the "crouch" start, and it is now 
admitted that "Bobby" McDonald, a famous Australian 
sprinter, was the first athlete to use the "crouch start/' 
It is stated that he got the idea from watching the Kan- 
garoo, and for years it was known as the "Kangaroo 
start." 

So much for the "crouch" start. That it is an improve- 
ment over the old method of starting, no one disputes. 
How to become expert is the desire of every boy when he 
takes up sprinting, and he can only become proficient by 
constant practice. 

While waiting for the command, "Take your marks," 
holes should be dug for each foot, one back of the other, 
with the rear foot a little to one side, but only far enough 
apart to enable the athlete when he gets set to feel at ease, 
and not cramped, or stretched out. A good way to measure 
the distance the rear hole should be from the front one 
is to kneel down on the right knee, placing the same even 
with the instep of the left foot and then dig the rear hole 
where the toe of the right foot reaches. This will give 
one a good easy position when getting set. The hands 
should be placed about three inches in front of the left 
foot so that you are just able to balance yourself from 
failing forward while waiting for the pistol shot. 

At the command, "Take your marks," approach the 
starting line, and assume the crouching position with 
the body in a perfectly relaxed condition with the right 
knee resting on the track, and wait for the next command, 
"Get set." At this command the athlete takes his posi- 
tion shown on page 16, with every muscle tense, but not in 
a cramped position. At the report of the gun the right leg; 






X 



f \ 






\ #i^ 



*\>, 



^s^. 



7i.'X 




'^^L^^-^'' 



ON THE MARK 




AT THE COMMAND "GET SET" 



Spalding's athletic library 17 

is thrust directly forward, and a short, fast pick-iii) is used^ 
to get into stride quickly. 

Lawson Robertson, the trainer of the Irish-American 
A. C, of Few York, gives many valuable pointers on 
training for sprinting in another section of this book. He 
considers bounding the best form of exercise for the muscles 
when starting in to train for sprinting. He asserts that 
the exercise gives the spring that is necessary to bound 
over the ground. He also devotes a great deal of time in 
showing his new sprinters how to get into their stride in- 
stantly after getting out of their holes. This is a very im- 
portant feature, as many championships have been lost by 
slow starting. A man might be a very strong runner — a 
strong finisher — but he would find it next to impossible to 
regain the ground lost by his slow starting, everything else 
between himself and his opponents being equal. 

Athletes starting out in the sprinting game should 
bear in mind that the quickest way to a given point is 
the direct way, and his legs should drive forward abso- 
lutely straight. His head should be erect and his mind 
should be bent on reaching the finish line first. He must, 
therefore, run straight and true. The writer has seen 
many youngsters lose their chances of winning a place by 
getting nervous and looking to the right or left. This 
is one of the worst habits a beginner can get into. 

On page 19 we show a picture of the finish — the throw 
at the tape. Many a race has been won in the last couple 
of yards by the "Morton throw.'' This style of finish- 
ing was perfected by J. W. Morton, the famous English 
sprinter, and copied by many, being as follows : 

THE FINISH OF 100 YARDS. 

After one has thoroughly mastered the art of starting, 
and is developed into a fast man and figures quite promi- 
nently in an important event, in order to be successful 
and get the benefit of every ounce of good that is in him. 



18 

^and particularly when he has on his hands a hard race, 
' the finish of which he knows is going to be a close one 
and that inches will decide it, it is then he wants to use 
the "throw" at the finish. There is no finish as sensational 
as the one that is known as the "throw finish," and by 
using it often races have been won which at 95 yards 
looked lost. It requires a great deal of practice and quick 
action to work it successfully, but when you have once mas- 
tered it, it comes to you like an inspiration when you 
are in a tight corner. 

Morton says: 

"After leaving the mark I pay no attention whatever 
to breathing, taking a breath as required. At about twenty 
yards from the tape I take a long breath, quickly pulling 
myself together for a final efi'ort. At this point a thrill 
seems to pass through my muscles; I travel much faster, 
and should it be a close finish, at about eight feet from 
the tape, I throw myself off the right leg, striking the tape 
with the left breast, and saving myself from collapsing 
by the left leg. Should your stride have left you on the 
other leg at this period, your method will, of course, be 
vice versa. 

"It is advisable to practice this method of finishing on 
grass, as you will be able to pay more attention to it, not 
being afraid of the abrasions that a fall on the cinder 
track would cause. Whatever you do, do not attempt too 
long a throw to the tape and do not attempt to bring 
the feet together like in a long jump. To be successful 
with this jump at the finish the runner must get off one 
leg. This method of finishing has won many races, par- 
ticularly my 1904 British championship, when I defeated 
Arthur Duffey. At 95 yards he looked like a winner, but 
I threw myself and breasted the tape first. Of course, this 
method of finishing is like everything else, it requires a 
great deal of practice. I can assure athletes who think 




FINISHING— SHOWING THE THROW AT TAPE 



20 Spalding's athletic library 

it worth while trying, that they will find it very useful 
in a close finish/' 

The amount of work to be expected of a man is very 
important. I have always felt if a man desires to excel 
as a sprinter he should train regularly, observe all the laws 
of athletics and work daily. Of course, it is impossible 
for all. athletes to have their training trials and practice 
sprints at the same time of day as his particular event 
is usually called for on the day of a race, but if this is 
possible it will be an advantage. 

In America the majority of our champion athletes are 
business men, or clerks working for a living, who have 
to do their training late in the afternoon. It is always 
best to do your training, when you have to do it late in 
the afternoon, before eating. Of course, in school and col- 
lege the athletes can. as a rule, arrange their schedules in 
such a way that they can practice or run their trials about 
the same time as their race comes off on race day. It is 
important, and a good thing to provide for. 

The amount of work that a sprinter should do, depends 
upon the physical condition of the athlete. Big, strong, 
fully grown fellows can stand a great deal of work, while 
weaker men cannot stand very much. Some fellows can 
run time trials every other day for a period and improve 
on them, while others would be upset entirely by such 
work. Personally I have never been in favor of what 
are known as time trials for athletes. An athlete usually 
gets all the time trials that are necessary in competition. 
Such trials only tend to make the athlete nervous and 
unstrung, and on the day of his race he is liable to go to 
the mark in a weakened condition. 

At the present time athletic games are held on the 
average once weekly — and they are time trials enough. 
Let the men do their work regularly, take care of their 
bodies, train with club mates or friends and that, to my 
way of thinking, is better than trials under a watch. Of 



21 

course, many of our young men are not fortunate enough 
to have among their acquaintances men who are expert 
enough to train with them and give them the competition 
necessary. Sometimes they are forced to go away by 
themselves and train. 

I have always felt that a sprinter, provided he was in 
perfect physical condition, should practice starts for at 
least ten minutes each day with someone to start him 
with a gun. Some one who will hold him on his mark, 
and who will be just as careful as the official starters. In 
practising for a 100-yard race, a sprinter should go beyond 
that distance in his preparatory work. 

As a matter of fact, a hundred-yard man should be 
able to go on to 110 yards or 120 yards at top speed. For 
the 220-yard race the training should be about the same 
as for the "hundred/' except he should do a little longer 
work to get strength. A good hundred-yard man can in- 
variably run a good 220 yards. The exceptions to this 
rule are few. There have been, however, several wonder- 
ful hundred-yard men, who never ran over 100 yards. 
They could run 100 yards and no more. On the other 
hand, many of the world's greatest sprinters have been 
able to run 220 yards, and beyond that. This is notably 
true of B. J. Wefers, Harry Brooks and Lon Myers, all 
of whom were remarkable sprinters, and were good up to 
a quarter of a mile. 

Many athletes have made a serious mistake in sticking 
to sprinting after failing to win championships in that 
particular class. Take the 100-yard championship at the 
Intercollegiate or A. A. U. Championship IMeetings — not 
any one year, but all the years — and we find that these 
races were won in 9 4-5 seconds and 10 seconds, with the 
second man a foot or two back and the third man a foot or 
so back of the second man. Time and again probably 
six men will have been found running within two or three 
feet of ten seconds. 

I have often felt that trainers sacrifice great athletes 



22 

in this particular event. Therefore I think it is a mistake 
for a sprinter to stick at this game for years, only to be 
invariably beaten out of a championship by a close margin. 
I have in mind now a young man — a very good sprinter — 
who, to my way of thinking, was the fastest man for fifty 
or sixty yards that ever put on a shoe. He repeatedly ran 
in 100-yard races, and was just beaten time and again 
at the tape in fast time. After one particular champion- 
ship meeting I advised him to change his distance. I told 
him that he was strong, athletic and in perfect condition 
and that he had tried hard, but that he lacked being a 
champion sprinter. 

I advised him to try a longer race, preferably the "220" 
or quarter, feeling that all he needed was the ability to stay. 
This young man took my advice, and the following year 
he won the 220-yard championship. If he had confined 
his efforts to 100 yards he might never have become a 
champion. The same thing applies to many of our 
sprinters. I think that after they have been tried at 
sprinting, and have proven to themselves and their trainer 
that they are not of championship caliber in that particular 
branch, they should try the quarter, broad jump, or some 
other event. 

It is immaterial what sport we enter into — let it be 
sprinting, distance running, jumping or weight throwing — 
speed is necessary. So my advice to sprinters who have 
gone on for several years, training conscientiously, and 
have shown that they are fast men, but unable to qualify 
for the championship class, is to change and try some- 
thing else. 



Spalding's athletic library 23 

Quarter-Mile Run 

This has been classed by many as a middle distance 
event. Years ago, perhaps, it did belong to the list of 
middle distance events, but I don't think it could be con- 
sidered as such to-day. I think it should be considered 
as a long distance sprint, because from the records that 
have been made of late and the performances of the men. 
The athlete who hopes to win an American, Swedish, Ger- 
man, English, French or Olympic Championship at this 
distance, must be a sprinter and a real good sprinter. 
Take for instance the record of Maxey Long, who ran a 
quarter of a mile on a straightaway path in 47 seconds, 
and a similar distance on a fifth-of-a-mile track in 47 4-5 
seconds. To run this distance in 47 seconds a man must 
be able to run 100 yards in 10 seconds and probably in 
some part of the race, he does; Maxey Long, on several 
3ccasions, did it. 

In all quarter-mile championship races of recent years, 
the man who has been a good sprinter has generally come 
through. So the advice given to the 100-yard man, and 
the 220-yard man, naturally applies to the one that is going 
to prepare for a quarter of a mile, with the additional 
command to occasionally run over a longer distance in 
order to get stamina. To succeed as a quarter-mile runner 
to-day, a man not only has to be a sprinter, but he must 
be as game as a pebble and well able to go the distance, 
and in training for this event his preliminary work must 
be diversified. A quarter miler must not only practice 
hard and become proficient at starting and able to get away 
from the mark smoothly and fast, but he must also have 
the stamina to enable him to come home. 

Therefore in practice he should train over longer dis- 
tances and run 600 yards, 700 yards and a half mile in 
order to become thoroughly hardened and strengthened, 
and have the staying qualities which are essential to-day 
for that last desperate drive for the tape. Therefore, I 




MAXEY LONG. N. Y. A. C. 
World's greatest quarter-miler. Record, 47s. Note the perfection of form, 
body shg-htly bent forward, arms and legs working straight ahead and no lost 
motion of the legs. 



Spalding's athletic library 25 

think that a man who is going to run a quarter should 
devote a great deal of his time to middle distance running, 
say at 600 yards and a half mile, never neglecting, how- 
ever, his sprinting or starting practice. 

The start in a quarter mile race is almost as essential 
as that for a 100-yard race. I read an article by one 
trainer a short time ago wherein he remarked that the 
start of a quarter mile race was the all important thing, 
owing to the fact that the starting point of all quarter 
mile races was close to the first turn of a quarter mile 
path, and that the quarter-miler should practice starts 
and be quick at the breakaway in order to be the first 
one at the all important turn. 

That was quite true not long since, but the writer 
was one of the first to observe the inconsistency of start- 
ing the quarter and half mile races so near the first bend 
of a quarter mile path, and several years ago he suggested 
to the Intercollegiate Association that the starting points 
of these races be moved back so that the runners would 
be given a chance to get straightened out before the first 
turn and all have a fair chance. This was first put into 
operation by the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur 
Athletes of America at Franklin Field, Philadjelphia, 
TJ. S. A., some years ago, and now all championship 
quarter and half mile races are started that way. 

This method of starting races of this kind is well nigh 
perfect, and has proved to be so for the reason that at 
the finish of most races at the distance seldom do more 
than three men come up to within 80 yards of the finish 
at one time, so that the positions are fairly well estab- 
lished before they get within hailing distance of the tape. 
"Kie amount of work for a quarter miler as well as that 
for a hundred, or two-twenty man, to my way of think- 
ing, depends on the man himself and his condition. A 
big, strong fellow who can stand work, should be worked, 
while the slightly built man should have his programme 
modified. 



26 Spalding's athletic library 



880 Yards or Half-Mile 

The half mile is recognized throughout the world as a 
middle distance event, and it has been proven conclusively 
that it is not a race for one who has not both stamina 
and speed. A man who desires to excel as a half miler, 
must have the speed of a sprinter as well as great staying 
power. Of course the work for a half-miler is entirely dif- 
ferent from that given a sprinter. He must be sent on 
longer journeys. The half miler should run plenty of 
distance trials, not under a watch, but for his own satis- 
faction, and he must be able to run three-quarters of 
a mile at a strong pace, a phase of work the majority of 
the great half-milers have been able to do satisfactorily. 

A middle distance man's work is strenuous. He must 
acquire a knowledge of pace. To my way of thinking, a 
half-miler requires more attention and work than the 
sprinter — at any rate, harder work. He should be sent 
through the distance repeatedly, and there is no reason in 
the world why a good quarter-miler should not be able to 
run a good half mile, and vice versa. That they have, is 
proven by men of the type of Sheppard, Meredith, Wide, 
Braun and others, who were really in the championship 
class in the quarter as well as the half mile. 



27 



Mile Run 

In the old days the mile was considered the blue rib- 
bon event, and it is without doubt one of the hardest races 
there is. To-day it is far from being the steady plod as 
was the case a generation or more ago. I have always 
felt that for a man to be able to run a good mile, two, or 
five miles, he should have a grand constitution. He must 
be strong of limb, and stout of heart, and to gain these 
qualifications a lot of long distance work is necessary and 
plenty of hard and consistent training. As I look back 
over the records of many of our great distance runners in 
days gone by, I feel thoroughly convinced if I had charge 
of the training of a group of milers — that is, men who 
could practically be considered novices — I would com- 
mence late in the yeai^ and have them run long distances 
from fall to spring. 

I would send them cross-country, at distances from four 
to six miles several times weekly. Not at top speed, of 
course, but at a good, steady gait. If I had a lot of 
novices who could not win at anything, but were anxious to 
follow the game, I would start them walking. I'd have 
them walk for a year or more. Not walk as one does 
through the country, but on the track where they would 
have a chance to be judged, and race each other. Out 
of this bunch two or three good walkers might be developed. 
The work would give the others strength and confidence 
so that if trained for running I feel confident many of 
them would eventually develop into champions, because 
a walking race of two or three miles is the most gruelling 
sport there is, and the man who can go that far at good 
racing speed must have strength and gameness. 

I think this type of work would make novices good sub- 
jects for a trainer who desires to find and develop distance 




J. C. D. Reidpntli. 2, John Paul Joues. 3. Abel Kiviat. 



Spalding's athletic library 29 

runners. 1 say this with confidence, for some of the 
greatest distance runners in the world were men that started 
out as walkers. George Bonhag and Jim Gilford, two of the 
greatest five mile runners America ever had, were good 
walkers. Harry Fredericks, one time American mile cham- 
pion, was an amateur walker. Frank Lantry was a good 
walker, and later developed into a runner. In recent 
years, we can cite the case of Myles McHugh. who was a 
fairly good walker. After trying that game for some time 
he took up running, and to-day he is a runner of ability. 

If a club has a lot of youngsters who have athletic in- 
clinations, but lack strength and dash, I would suggest 
that such men go to the track each day and walk under 
proper coaching nearly as fast as they can, as far as they 
can. After six months or a year of this, those who do 
not excel as walkers will have laid the foundation for 
several of the other track events. 

There is no doubt in my mind that a youngster starting 
out as a miler should work daily. One of the greatest 
runners the world has seen used to go out morning after 
morning for a four or five mile run across country before 
breakfast, and in the afternoon run the distance he in- 
tended to race in the nature of a trial. I do not believe 
in trials, as I have said before. I think too many trials 
(best efforts) will disconcert an athlete no matter what 
event he takes up, and on race day he is nervous and un- 
strung. A good rule is to make your training your play, 
and let your competition act as a trial. 

In olden times the miler, two miler, five and ten miler 
was supposed to be, to a certain extent, a plodder — that 
is, he would go through the distance at an even pace. No 
one expected a miler to be a good sprinter. However, we 
have had in the athletic world some remarkable mile run- 
ners who were phenomenal sprinters. Lon Myers, for in- 
stance, could at any stage of a half, three-quarters or mile, 
give a burst of speed that was unusual. W. G. George 
could, John Paul Jones could, Abel Kiviat could. 



30 

I have, of course, felt, however, that Melvin W. Shep- 
pard has given the greatest exhibitions of sprinting in mile 
races, showing the ability to come home in remarkable 
time on more than one occasion. I think this is because 
Sheppard, like Myers, often takes a try at the short dis- 
tance races. 

His remarkable mile at the Olympic Games in London 
in 1908 will be long remembered. During that race, on 
several occasions when he was called upon, he gave exhi- 
bitions of sprinting, the like of which had never been 
witnessed. In the last 300 yards, when he went up with 
the leaders, and then came through with a long, sustained 
sprint, beating out Wilson, the Englishman aided in prov- 
ing that no matter what distance one may essay, it is neces- 
sary to have the ability to sprint, and come home. 

At that time I drew up a table for Mike Murphy, giving 
to him my ideas of how a miler should be trained, which 
are appended. If the man who is going to run a mile is 
in fairly good condition on the nights he is to be sent 
through for a real fast test, he should be accompanied by 
at least three or four fairly good sprinters. He should 
be carried along by a quarter miler at a fairly good pace, 
and then a sprinter should take him up at 440 yards and 
carry him through to the 600-yard post, during which 
interim he should be compelled to sprint, after which he 
could then settle down to a natural mile pace. At 900 
yards he should be picked up again by a sprinter, and sent 
at top speed up to a thousand yards. He should then slow 
down to about 1,600 yards and then be carried at top 
speed through to the finish. This will enable a man when 
he desires to take the lead to open the way as though he 
were a real sprinter and still have the strength to finish. 

The advice to be given a man that runs a mile is the 
same as given to a man running three or four miles. 
It is hard work and takes time. A distance runner, of 
course, must know that he can go his distance, and it is 



SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 31 

the duty of each and every man who desires to excel as a 
distance runner to go the distance, not necessarily at top 
speed, but day in and day out. A man should go his 
distance, not for a record, or on time, but just for the 
pleasure of it. Jog along if necessary, but never neglect 
the sprint. No one should lose sight of the fact that to 
excel even at five miles a man must have speed, and speed 
only comes from practice, and that speed will come to you 
if you join the 100 and 220-yard men in practice. 

It is ridiculous to think that a man can run five or 
ten miles at racing speed if he has never gone the distance. 
In talking with Mike Murphy at Brighton, when the 
American team was training there for the Olympic Games 
at London in 1908, he criticised severely the judgment of 
some of the American Marathon runners. 

He declared to me that he had had some trouble with 
a few of the boys, who felt that he was working them too 
hard, and he pointed out one who all but refused to run 
the distance he was instructed to. Murphy sounded the 
keynote when he said: "How can you expect to win a 
marathon if you never run one in practice ?^' A man must 
become accustomed to the distance. He must know that 
he can complete a Marathon. A Marathon is always a 
difficult event to train a man for, and I think the failure 
of many of our Americans to come through the distance 
in proper shape is due to the fact that they start too young 
and run distances which are too long for them at an early 
age. By this they sap their vitality, which is essential 
in a long distance run. I have always felt that a man 
to succeed as a Marathon runner must be a seasoned old 
fellow, who has had long experience, and who would prob- 
ably be at his best between the ages of 25 and 30. 

Of late years we have found that it is a pretty hard 
thing to have our Marathon runners repeat and come 
back the next year. This is due, I repeat, to the fact that 
they start too young. Several years ago the athletes of 



32 SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBEARY 

this country and England were enthusiastic over distance 
running, and some of the men wouki run two or three 
Marathons in a fortnight, with the result that they felt 
and knew that they could go the distance. If this country 
of ours desires to retain its supremacy as a nation of 
great distance runners, it is the duty of the men handling 
athletes to see that the right kind of men are constantly 
kept in training for this type of event. 

Cross-country work should be encouraged in every 
country in the world that desires to have seasoned distance 
runners, because it is the kind of work that builds up the 
body and fits the men for a campaign on the track. Nearly 
all the countries of the world that have men who are 
athletically inclined have their cross-country champion- 
ships and believe in cross-country running, and the more 
we have of this sport, the better our runners will be. 

The best kind of training for a club that desires to have 
its men excel in cross-country running is to encourage the 
formation of packs of Hares and Hounds. In the olden 
days, this was a popular sporting event for those who loved 
outdoor running. 

The game of Hare and Hounds is simple. Two runners, 
as hares, start out, each with a bag over his shoulders full 
of closely clipped paper, from which they lay a course 
through the woods. After a certain interval the hounds are 
let loose, and they chase the hares. It is one of the most 
beneficial and most invigorating forms of athletic exer- 
cises. It takes men out in the open and gives them a 
taste of nature. There is something about cross-country 
running and Hare and Hounds that is entirely different 
from regular track competition. The benefits are many. 
I think Hare and Hounds clubs should be organized in 
all cities, and from such there would surely be developed 
a few men at least who would be able to carry the flag for 
their country to success in future Olympic Games. 



Spalding's athletic library 83 



Lon^ Distances 

The longest distance that we have on our champion- 
ship athletic programmes is the ten-mile run. We also 
have three and five mile races. Much of what has been 
said regarding the mile applies with equal force to these 
distances. Here the staying qualities are more prominent 
than ever and no success can be obtained unless they are 
in the runner's make-up. A basis for success in these 
distances can be very well attained by easy cross-country 
work. Workman, the great English distance runner, who 
ran so remarkably several years ago against Yale and 
Harvard, in discussing the great superiority of the English 
distance men as a class, put the matter in a nutshell when 
he said: "The chief reason why we have so many first- 
class distance men, as compared with America, is because 
we are brought up to run distance from our early youth. 
Paper chasing and regular cross-country work are prac^ 
tically a part of the early education of the English school- 
boy, and they are all able to go a distance. There is no 
wonder, therefore, that when these boys become men, scores 
of them develop into fast distance runners, while every 
now and then a real champion comes to the front." 

The encouragement that has been given to distance run- 
ning the past five years by the colleges has already borne 
fruit in the development of quite a number of good milers 
and two-milers. The schools are taking up the sport, and 
if it becomes general, it will not be long until America 
has some men worthy to rank with the best that England 
has produced. 

In training for any of the above distances, the runner 
should hardly go the full distance every day. He will 
find that too exacting in our climate. But he should 
average at least three-quarters of the distance. By running 



34 Spalding's athletic libraey 

out the full distance once a week and going over it another 
day, he will find that in a race he will go through the full 
distance, in good form. 

There is one thing that every long distance runner must 
cultivate, and that is an even or steady gait. The heart, 
lungs, legs, arms, and, in fact, the whole body, should 
move together as one harmonious whole if the best results 
are to be obtained. If the athlete runs irregularly and not 
at an even pace, he will find that he will not attain his 
best speed. The first half mile of the five or ten miles 
the runner may go at a fast gait and then settle into a 
steady pace. Alfred Shrubb, the famous Etnglish distance 
runner, runs very steadily, but he has a fashion of varying 
his gait for about two quarters in the ten miles. He does 
this to limber up his legs and to produce a more powerful 
circulation, but outside of this peculiarity, which other 
distance men have had and for the same reason, he must 
be called a very even-gaited runner. 

The ten mile runner must understride if anything. He 
cannot keep reaching out, as in the mile, for that is too 
exhausting. He must run as naturally as possible, depend- 
ing on his staying qualities to make time. Here the 
muscles must not tie up, as that will prove fatal. This 
has reference both to the arm and leg muscles and it is 
really contained in the above admonition to run 
^'naturally." 

I shall give no schedule for these distances, as it is 
unnecessary. The great fault of the American aspirants 
for long distance honors I have found to be a disinclina- 
tion to go far enough in their training. One must get 
used to the distance, and if one is careful not to exhaust 
oneself it is better to run too far in training than not far 
enough. If the runner does not run far enough, on the 
day of the race he is quite likely not to finish. On the 
other hand, if one has run too far, one will be able to go 
through the whole distance strongly if not so fast. 



Spalding's athletic library 35 

In running five and ten mile races, the runner must 
develop a steady, fast pace. This he will find exhausting 
for the first three miles, but if he has the right basis 
for distance work in his composition, the pace will then 
become to a great extent mechanical. One cannot obtain 
this mechanical pace if it is necessary to force oneself the 
whole way, and there is only one way in which it can be 
g-ained, and that is by constant practice. F'rom the 
above, one can clearly see that the aspirant for long dis- 
tance work must not take up the game unless he is very 
enthusiastic or enjoys running for itself. The reason for 
this is that there is not one runner in a hundred or even 
a greater percentage who has so much natural speed over 
» distance that he does not need to work hard and do lots 
of running. On the other hand, there is no event on our 
programme in which we find so many men who have 
brought themselves to a high state of development merely 
through consistent and steady practice backed only by 
very moderate natural ability. 



36 Spalding's athletic library 



Hurdle Racing 

A great change has come tc pass in the game of hurdle 
racing. Twenty-five years ago the hurdlers of this country 
had a stereotyped form. They curled up the front leg 
and drew the rear one close to the top of the hurdle, a 
style which was termed "bucking/^ This style has been 
changed considerably. To-day nearly all of our good 
hurdlers use what is called the "straight leg style." This 
change was made when Alvin Kraenzlein of Milwaukee, 
and afterwards of the University of Pennsylvania, began 
to use it. Kraenzlein conceived the idea that in order to 
make records over the hurdles, or to become an expert, 
the hurdles must be stepped over and not considered a 
bumper to be "bucked/' and he evolved a method which 
kept him in stride by using the front leg straight while 
the other was practically at right angles to his body over 
the obstacle. 

This is recognized as the best form for hurdling to-day. 
The result is that we have many remarkable hurdlers all 
over the world. The game is one which illustrates the 
great need for sprinting of very near top-notch class. 
Kraenzlein was a 10-second man. Smithson, Grarrells, 
Shaw, Kelly, Eand, Wendell, Case and Nicholson are some 
of our men who can do close to 10 seconds for a 100 yards 
and that is one of the reasons why they have shown some- 
thing close to 15 seconds in the 120 yards high hurdle race. 

Hurdling is conceded to be one of the prettiest forms 
of athletic competition, and it is an event in which a man 
must take great pains with his method of training and 
his style, back of which he must be possessed of speed 
and natural spring. The best way to start training for 
hurdling, after learning to sprint, is to take a low hurdle 
and race over it as fearlessly as though there was no 



SPALDTNg's ATIILKTIC LinUAKV 37 

obstacle to clear. After becoming proficient at this height 
the "fence" can be increased to the 3-foot G-inch height. 

Most timber-toppers hurdle with the left leg forward, 
but if you find it more convenient to use the other leg. do 
so. The idea is to get over the hurdles as quickly and 
gracefully as possible. In leaping extend the leg going 
over first straight in front; bend the body forward from 
the hips ; extend the arms similar to a tight-rope walker — 
they act as a balance while in the air. Bring up the 
rear leg in a hooked position and close to the body ; during 
the leap gradually bring your rear leg forward; on land- 
ing be prepared to shoot this leg out for the next stride. 
Be sure that the front leg clears the hurdle — the rear leg 
may occasionally hit at first, but practice will overcome 
this fault. A hurdler will seldom fall if his first leg clears 
the bar. 

In the official 220 yards low hurdles each hurdle is 
placed 20 yards apart, a like distance from the start to 
the first hurdle and from the last hurdle to the finish. But 
for boys 10 yards will do for a 60 yards race; when the 
distance is longer the hurdles should be 20 yards apart. 

In the latter event seven or nine strides should be taken 
between the jumps, but it is much better for boys to use 
hurdles 10 yards apart until they become better acquainted 
with the hurdles, with, of course, a reduction in the num- 
ber of strides. Never chop your stride. If necessary, 
make an extra long leap. 

To be a good hurdler one must be so confident that 
hurdles will prove to be no obstacle at all. Just fancy a 
man coming through 120 yards over ten hurdles 3 feet 6 
inches high in 15 seconds, as we have had recorded on 
several occasions. It shows he must have arrived at such 
perfection by constant and faithful training. 

I have always contended that the best kind of a hurdle 
is the collapsible one. These, in practice, will allow the 
hurdler to run over them without fear of injury. I think 



Spalding's athletic library 39 

the forcing of men to clear barriers that are "fixed" is 
wrong and robs them of their best efforts. 

Both the 120 yards and the 220 yards hurdle races work 
well together, and the training for them is along the 
same lines. 

As in other sports, the rules for hurdling are framed to 
safeguard the men from injury, and that particular one 
which invalidates the making of a record unless all the 
jumps are left standing as before being cleared, as well as 
the one which warrants the disqualification of the runner 
who topples three hurdles aids in my contention for col- 
lapsible hurdles as against those that are "fixed." 

Mr. A. F. Copland, who in his day was the recognized 
champion hurdler of the world at both the high and low 
hurdles, has the following to say in relation to training 
for the hurdles : 

"The first essential for an athlete with leanings toward 
hurdling is speed. To acquire this most important adjunct 
so necessary for track work the athlete must center his 
attention on form and the ability to ^pick-up,' that is, 
master the art of quick striding, which, in combination 
with the knowledge that what he's doing is right, is half 
the game. 

"Of course, speed will not come in one week, or two, 
but the seeming hardship attending a runner's failure to 
measure up to the standard he may have set for himself 
should not prevent his keeping ^everlastingly at it,^ until 
he at last 'does things.' 

"The knowledge that he must have crept before he 
learned to walk should warrant his close application to the 
work of mastering form, which, when acquired, is sure to 
be productive of competitive results if he has any ability 
whatever. 

"After the athlete has his muscles in such shape that 
they respond willingly, and are able to withstand the shock 
which follows hurdling attempts, he is ready to take up the 



40 Spalding's athletic library 

^timber-topping' game, and here again, style is the first 
requisite. 

"Probably the best method for the beginner to pursue 
is to place light cross-bar jumping sticks at the required 
height, 2 feet 6 inches, or 3 feet 6 inches, on top of 
regulation hurdles, as a possible offset to injury when the 
obstacle is hit. 

"The runner will go at such a 'hurdle' with more con- 
fidence than over a regulation 'gate,' and much more quickly 
become acquainted with the proper method. 

"For the high hurdle it is necessary that the front leg, 
the first leg over the obstacle, should be as nearly straight 
out as possible, with the rear leg drawn up as near to 
right angles as can be done, and tucked up under the body 
immediately the leap is made. 

"There must be another movement in unison with the 
above while crossing the stick which will warrant the upper 
body being thrown forward so that the chest nearly lies 
on the front thigh. This guarantees the quick dropping 
of the front leg in combination with the pulling of the 
rear, which makes for a quick recovery and instant readi- 
ness for the striding to the next hurdle. 

"For the low obstacles it is not so necessary to get in the 
body action over the front thigh to such a degree as over 
the high sticks, but the front leg should be as straight as 
possible, while the rear is pulled as in the case of the high 
hurdles. 

"The fundamental about racing over the high hurdles 
is 'make the first obstacle the best;' that is, cultivate 
the ability to 'go' to the first as though no obstacle was 
placed at the 15 yards distance. Once the first is cleared 
perfectly and with the requisite; speed, the rest will come 
comparatively easy. 

"Pay more attention to working over two or three hurdles 
in training for a contest than anything else outside of 
sprinting work, and don't tie yourself up by running over 



si'alding's athletic library 41 

the ten flights more frequently than once in ten days, and 
not that within a week of a race, is the best advice that 
can be given any hurdler, champion, or otherwise. 

"Never run over a jump at an easy pace. No matter 
how leisurely one may run between the hurdles, it is abso- 
lutely necessary that the jump be taken fast, for the reason 
that a slowly taken hurdle is usually sure to bring the 
athlete to grief, if the obstacle is hit; whereas, if the 
obstacle is hit when there is speed, it is invariably carried 
with the runner, with less chances of his being hurt. 

"It is advisable to get in plenty of sprinting work, starts, 
etc., coupled with good strong striding considerably over 
the distance to be run. The athlete should not be averse 
to doing lots of distance jogging, which helps lay a founda- 
tion for stamina not otherwise attainable. 

"For the low hurdles it is advisable to learn to 'take' a 
hurdle with either leg, as, in the case of a spill, the runner 
can, with every degree of confidence, race on to the next 
obstacle without having to, or caring, which leg he is to use 
at the jump. It almost goes without saying that 'left leg 
first over,' is the best style for the low hurdles in view of 
the fact that there is so much indoor running around short 
ellipses, as well as because on most outdoor tracks such 
events are decided around turns. When a man uses the 
right leg first on other than straight tracks, he is always 
running away from his hurdles around turns, a phase of 
the game which has \)^eu ^howu to bQ §uiqidal to the 
runner/' 



42 Spalding's athletic library 



Pole Vault 

Pole vaulting, like all other standard events, has im- 
proved. To-day the question is, "How much higher can 
you go than 13 feet ?" A quarter of a century ago the limit 
was about 10 feet. Pole vaulting has changed as have 
many other games. It is quite true that the use of the 
bamiDoo pole has to a great degree improved the conditions 
of pole vaulting, as with its coming into use athletes imme- 
diately began to realize on the greater speed the lighter 
pole and longer pole warranted. 

Years ago, pole vaulting was considered more or less 
a gymnastic stunt. To-day it is a gymnastic stunt as well 
as a speed event, as the man must come to the take-off with 
great speed if he wants to cut any figure at the game. After 
attaining the requisite degree of speed he must have 
absolute control of himself after leaving the ground. 

A man without a well developed body and strong shoul- 
ders stands little chance of being a pole vaulter. Some 
men assert that men who are short and stocky are best 
adapted for pole vaulting. In many cases this is true, but 
that such does not always hold has been disproved by 
the case of Harry Babcock, the present Olympic Champion, 
who isi far from being short and stocky. As a matter of 
fact he is long and sinewy, and over six feet in height. 

Pole vaulting requires a vast amount of practice. Years 
ago the rules allowed a vaulter to climb on the pole. This, 
however, proved to be so unfair that athletic legislators 
prohibited pole vaulters from essaying such a stunt. The 
best way to excel as a pole vaulter is to perfect yourself 
in the form, and then stick constantly at it. You must 
have confidence in yourself. Don't be afraid of the many 
hard falls you may get. 



Spalding's athletic library 43 



Broad Jumping 

This sport is a good deal like any other event a man 
desires to excel at. I am not going to say that the best 
jumpers are long legged athletes, like Kraenzlein, or short, 
stocky men of the Kelly type. Broad jumpers of the best 
type have been developed from men of all sizes and 
physiques. 

Broad jumping might be considered a sort of last resort 
for a man who has failed at sprinting, or some other event. 
I have always felt that a man who trains for the hurdles or 
sprints for several years, could be developed into a good 
broad jumper. 

Like sprinting, high jumping, or hurdling, a man can- 
not be a good broad jumper if he has not speed. The 
most essential thing in broad jumping is speed and ability 
to hit the take-off in proper stride, and then be able to 
throw yourself in the air, so as to get out the greatest 
distance. The athlete who can retain his speed, hit the 
take-off and shoot high in the air, draw his legs well up 
under him until he is about ready to strike the ground, 
when he must shoot them out forward, land in the pit and 
throw himself forward, makes a good broad jumper. Like 
everything else in athletics, exhaustive practice is necessary 
for perfection. 

The first thing to do is to measure off a certain distance 
to use as a guide to get your stride to hit the take-off with 
the proper foot. It is not necessary for a broad jumper 
to stick to that event alone. We have had plenty of men 
in athletics who could do other things besides broad jump- 
ing. Eddie Cook, for instance, formerly of Cornell Uni- 
versity, was a clear example of versatility. He could broad 
jump, vault, hurdle, and sprint. Of course, it can be said 
that it is better to be an expert at one game than to be s, 
moderate performer at several. 



44 Spalding's athletic library 



Hi^h Jump 

There is no set way of high jumping. As no two men 
are built exactly alike, so no two men can jump their best 
along the same lines. But the general principle is the 
same — to make every part of the body and every part of 
the jump from the beginning of the run to the clearance 
of the bar and the alighting, serve the one purpose, which 
is to attain the greatest possible height. First determine 
that you are going to succeed, then stick everlastingly at 
it, being guided largely by your own judgment as to the 
amount of work you attempt, but doing a little every day, 
if only in your own room, to keep in trim, and you are 
bound to get there. 

It is not necessary to run hard at the bar. It is better 
to bound along easily with just enough speed to carry you 
across the bar. Too much speed will shoot you into the 
bar and out a distance, but not up in the air. You will 
be coming just fast enough when you are easily able to 
check yourself at the instant of take-off, thus converting 
the force of your run into distance upward. 

Most jumpers when beginning approach the take-off 
from the side. But it is better to run straight at it. At 
first it may seem more difficult and you may not be able 
to jump as high as with the side approach, but eventually 
you will be able to go much higher. 

Learn to use the off-leg to advantage. By giving it a 
powerful swing upwards at the instant of take-off, and 
following it up with a "bending-the-crab" movement just 
at the instant when the hips and back would appear to 
take the bar off, you will add many inches to your jump. 
The body should clear the bar in a wiggle, snake-like, and 
not stiff nor bolt-upright. A quick snap-down of the legs 
after they are once across the bar and a simultaneous reach- 



Spalding's athletic library 45 

iiig forward of the arms, head, and shoulders, will carry the 
upper part of the body free of the bar, right it, and enable 
one to alight gracefully on his feet, thus completing the 
jump. 

In practice it is best not to try very great height, but 
rather to confine your efforts to more and more perfect 
clearance of a moderate height — one that you feel you can 
make sure of every time. This will favor development of 
form. Then, under the spur of competition, you will 
easily be able to combine form with height. 

It is not well to practice if you are not in the mood — do 
something else: run, tramp, play base ball, tennis, basket 
ball, or hand ball — anything that you can abandon your- 
self to and thoroughly enjoy and that at the same time 
will make you quick and develop perfect control. Slow, 
heavy exercises, like rowing and dumb-bells, or throwing 
the medicine ball, are not desirable training adjuncts. 
Practice doing the split and high-stretch kicking every 
day — this will keep you loosened out and your legs under 
good control. Also practice the "jumping-jack^' stunt very 
frequently — it will develop spring in the calves and thighs. 
All tl^icse things can be accomplished in one's room or in 
the back yard and require but a few moments of time each 
day. After form is once acquired, they will suffice to keep 
one always in trim for competition. 

Do not attempt to combine broad jumping or hurdling 
with high jumping, if you wish to make the most of your- 
self at high jumping. 

Set your heart on one thing, keep alive your interest in 
that one thing, and if you are patient and persistent you 
will one day become a champion — in this or any other 
athletic feat or in anything else you attempt. 



46 Spalding's athletic libraky 



Hammer Throwing 

Throwing the hammer is one of the oldest forms of 
sport. Irish historians tell us it is handed down from the 
early days of Irish love for outdoor competition. The old 
style of hammer was a blacksmith's hammer with a three- 
foot handle, and from that we have come to the present 
style,, which is a lead ball with a wire handle, which was 
worked out by James S. Mitchel, former world's cham- 
pion weight thrower. 

One of the first requirements in order to throw the 
hammer well, is that the athlete should be a big man. It 
is quite true that most of our hammer throwers have been 
men of remarkable physique, although they have not been 
always "strong" men. Many of our world's greatest ham- 
mer throwers have been men who would not have shown to 
advantage in what we now call the strength test. It is not 
a game in which just strength alone counts. A man must 
have ability, speed and knack. It almost goes without say- 
ing that, to throw the hammer well, a man must be in 
perfect physical condition. To throw the hammer in any- 
thing like championship form and stand the strain he must 
be well-nigh perfect physically in every way. 

In the old days the hammer was thrown with a follow, 
but nowadays the rules provide that it be thrown from a 
seven-foot or nine-foot circle. The event is one which 
must be studied in a scientific manner, and it is wonder- 
ful how exhaustively our "big" men have mastered it. 

I have always contended that the best way to bring up 
a youngster in the game is to furnish him a very light 
hammer, probably one with a wooden head in order that 
he become accustomed to the swing, after which, when fol- 
lowed by the use of a standard weight he will soon get the 
requisite speed. I have watched all of our great hammer 



SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 47 

throwers, and compared their styles with those of some of 
the men just breaking into the game. It at once becomes 
noticeable that some of the newcomers don't swing the 
hammer at the right angle in the revolutions about the 
head and body. Some carry it very high up around the 
shoulders, and incline to pull the weight toward them half- 
arm fashion instead of having it out at full arm just before 
they essay making the first turn, which action must be 
continued until the throw is made. 

The best weight throwers, just before leaving the ham- 
mer go, bring it down below the waist with the body move- 
ment leading the hammer during the turns. Of course, 
hammer throwers should strive more for form and the per- 
fection of their turns than for distance. That is, they 
should not do any work that will unnecessarily tire their 
muscles, and bind them up. Light work is what should be 
prescribed for hammer throwers, so that they can retain 
their speed. To get the whole series of movements so har- 
monious that thought is not required, and it becomes second 
nature to go through them, is the thing desired. Work for 
form should be the watchword and distance! is sure to be 
the outcome. 




PUTTING THE SHOT. 

Champion Martin J. Sheridan; showing a perfect balance after delivery. 



SPALDING*S ATHLETIC LIBRAEY 49 



Shot Putting 

Harry Buermeyer, one of the strongest athletes the 
world ever had, could put the shot but 37 feet in his prime. 
To-day we have dozens of young men, and who are not 
strong men by any means, who can; put the shot over 46 
feet. The implement used now is the same as in the olden 
days ; training methods for the shot put are the same, and 
everything else is the same, but these youngsters are more 
expert. They get all there is in them, whereas the old 
timers would walk up carelessly and put the shot by the 
use of main strength alone. 

If you watch the men of to-day in their attempts to put 
the shot, you will see them get well crouched and get the 
drive from the right leg and the shove from the body that 
does the trick. In other words, if you have not the drive 
from the body back of your shot, you will never be able to 
put the shot a very great distance. 

Shot putting, the same as weight throwing, is a game 
that requires constant attention from the man who is to 
excel at it. A man that expects to excel must lead a good, 
outdoor life. Jim Mitchel has always contended that a 
man who wants to excel as a shot putter, after he has 
mastered the style and position, should practice with a 
very heavy weight, probably 38 or 40 pounds. 

There can be but one style for this event. The athlete 
places his right foot at the rear of the circle, with his left 
side facing the circle. He then leans back to get as good a 
start as possible. Then he hops forward and, without any 
cessation of movement, makes a half turn of the body by 
shooting out the right arm and shoulder and throwing or 
pulling back the left arm and shoulder. The entire weight 
of the whole body, including the legs and thighs, is put into 
the final movement, and if the shot has been given sufficient 



50 

elevation, a good put will be made. The defect in most 
shot putters is generally two-fold. 

Some put the shot too much with the arm and do not 
get the weight of the body and the strong drive from the 
legs back of the put. Others hesitate after making the first 
hop across the circle and thus lose all the speed attained by 
that hop. If both of these defects are present, as is often 
the case, the athlete cannot do himself justice. Assiduous 
practice from a stand should enable the athlete to get his 
weight behind the shot. The other defect can be remedied 
only by careful practice, beginning the first hop across the 
circle slowly and care being taken to make the movement 
continuous from the beginning at the back of the circle 
until the weight leaves the hand. Speed across the circle 
and in making the half turn is very important in this 
event. We have called the first movement across the circle 
a hop, but it is really more like a shuffle, as the athlete 
should not jump high into the air. The movement is for- 
ward and close to the ground, the left leg being kept ahead, 
as when changing step to get into step with another when 
walking. 



51 



The Discus 

The discus event, the oldest in the gamut of sport, is 
peculiarly adapted to the athlete who is possessed of agility, 
a fairish amount of strength, and knack, the last being 
particularly necessary in the scaling of the missile, wherein 
lies the secret of success as to distance. The weight of the 
implement does not demand the strength so necessary in 
other weight events, and because of this the thrower must 
eventually have every movement dovetail in order to get 
the best results. 

At the outset the beginner will be confronted with some 
difficulty in gripping the missile, which must be held with 
absolutely no chance of its slipping from the hand. 

The discus must be held flat upon the hand, gripped 
by the tips of the fingers, with the thumb just reaching the 
rim, and lay up on the wrist, which aids in supporting it 
prior to the swing in a semi-circular fashion in front of 
the body. 

It is swung toward the left with a downward hold on 
the implement when it reaches' the extreme left side, where 
it is momentarily supported by the left hand. Several 
movements of this sort, with the last the longest far to 
the left and well around back of the body on the right 
side, will aid in perfecting this preliminary swing and in 
the proper holding of the missile. 

Following this, the thrower can prepare to scale the 
discus from a stand, concentrating all the efforts on this 
particular point alone. The weight is thrown with a slight 
overhand movement, during which it is kept in an almost 
horizontal position when leaving the hand, the fingers of 
which impart as the final forceful action a spin, which 
when rightly accomplished in combination with the proper 
elevation is half the game. 



52 

A'fter the discus has been mastered as far as throwing 
from a stand is concerned, the movement through the circle 
can be considered, with the body slightly bent forward. 
The right foot is placed from toe to heel along the back 
part of the circle, with the left slightly to the side a half- 
step ahead, and 18 inches or so from the edge of the circle. 

In making the turn, a pivot is made on the left foot, the 
right foot being brought around with the heel, the nearest 
point between the center of the circle and the back part, 
the movement being a right-about-face from the original 
position at the start of the turn, but about a third of the 
way across the circle. 

Here another pivot is made with the right foot, with 
the body movement warranting the left foot being brought 
up quite close to the front edge of the circle with the right 
a trifle to the rear of it until the delivery is made, where- 
upon it is brought up almost in alignment with a spread 
of about a foot separating right and left. 

In progressing through the circle the left arm must be 
fully extended, in order to aid the body movement, but 
care must be taken not to permit the action of the right 
arm to precede that of the body, which must be carried 
throughout the turn, so as to warrant every action following 
it being harmonious, the arm swing and final finger spin 
succeeding the body turn in such close relation that no loss 
sf speed and proper ability to scale the missile is experi- 
2nced. Too much work must not be done. The thrower 
will probably find a dozen tries all he needs in practice, 
with the idea uppermost being for scale and elevation. 



SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 53 



Javelin 

The Javelin throw differs so much from any other 
event that it is difficult to pick out any particular type 
of athlete who is best suited for the event. However, 
the champions with this particular implement appear to 
be possessed of that combination of strength of arm and 
speed and spring in legs found in shot putters and discus 
throwers. 

On account of the terrific strain on the arm and the 
violent effort required to throw the javelin, beginners 
should be cautioned about trying too hard and too fre- 
quently in practice, as the tendons on the inside of the 
arm near the elbow are easily apt to be strained, and if 
practice is continued with this condition permanent injury 
to the throwing muscles invariably results. 

The best method of learning to throw properly is to 
learn the delivery from a stand. The implement is held 
in the middle, at the center of gravity, by the cord grip, 
with the weight resting between the forefinger and the 
thumb, with the fingers uppermost. Some throwers prefer 
to rest the javelin just behind the cord with the fingers on 
the grip and this method is perhaps better as the last push 
is made with the cord against the lower part of the fore- 
finger. 

The left foot is placed — if a man is a right arm thrower 
— on or near the line in the direction of intended delivery 
and the other foot should be about two and a half feet 
further back. From this position the body and arm should 
be thrown back and the javelin then thrown with a reverse 
leg action similar to that used with the shot. 

The commonest fault of beginners in javelin throwing 
is made just before the delivery. When the arm is drawn 
back the thrower must try to keep the position of the jave- 
lin at an absolute right angle to the scratch line, as the 



54 SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

tendency is to allow the long end to drop back behind the 
body. This action, it will be found, will prevent the missile 
from traveling in a straight line, and causes the javelin 
to wobble, thus preventing a smooth delivery. 

After a smooth delivery and proper elevation are ac- 
quired by practice from standing throws, the run or ap- 
proach can then be considered. 

Although the run is unlimited, the approach should 
not be too long; in fact, any longer run than probably 40 
feet will be found unnecessary. 

Fbr convenience the javelin, at the beginning of the 
approach, may be held by the grip and carried on the 
shoulder until one step before reversing the body with the 
throw, when it should be pulled back sharply to full arm's 
length and delivered as described for the standing throw. 

The direction of the run should be slightly toward the 
left at an angle of say, 15 degrees, as this gives freer play 
for the arm and ensures a smoother delivery. 



Spalding's athletic library 55 



Fifty-six Pound Weight 

The successful man with the 56-pound weight must be 
endowed at the outset of his preparation with strength 
out of the ordinary, as far as the average weight man is 
concerned. The weight competition harmonizes to a great 
degree with hammer throwing, with the whirl about the 
head and the turns necessary involving similar movements, 
though necessarily slower. 

The first thing in connection with the preparation is to 
become enabled to get a proper swing around the head, 
which, when accomplished with the body movement be- 
ginning the turn, so calculated as to aid in getting the 
weight around, is half the game. 

After getting the correct grip on the handle of the 
weight, with both hands so placed that the palms are 
turned toward the body, attention can be centered on mak- 
ing the swing about the head. 

This can be made comparatively easy by a body move- 
ment from the hips, above which the torso is forced by the 
arm movements to seemingly revolve top-like, on the hip 
axis, with a swaying motion which is in harmony with the 
greater circular area described by the weight when dis- 
tended by the arms during the revolution about the head 
and upper body. 

Once perfected, the swing around the head paves the way 
to the movements through the circle, which are somewhat 
similar to those in hammer throwing. 

In preparation for a throw a stand is taken at the back 
part of the circle with the legs well spread and set and 
the feet at angles of about 40 degrees. Preliminary to 
the turn around the head the weight is swung between 
the legs, then to the right across the knee ; then to the left 
and back again to the extreme right. When the weight 



56 Spalding's athletic libraey 

is midway from right to left on the next swing, and almost 
in front of the body, a lunge is made with the body for 
the purpose of pivoting on the left foot, in which the body 
movement brings the weight clean around the body and 
leaves the thrower in almost a similar position as that first 
assumed, but nearly half way across the circle with the left 
foot slightly in advance of the other. 

With absolutely no pause the second pivot is made, the 
swinging movement being similar to that which obtained 
during the first turn, so that at the end of the second turn 
the feet are again brought further toward the throwing 
edge, with the left in advance and ready for the final heave, 
in which all the perfection of action must be had, the 
throw being half over the left shoulder. 

Care must be taken to prevent the weight pulling the 
thrower out of the circle, it being necessary for the athlete 
to set himself and hold himself well together before the 
heave is accomplished. Much good can be had in prepara- 
tion for this event with practice with a 35-pound weight, 
but it is necessary to impress upon throwers the advisability 
of confining their practice heaves with the "56" to not more 
than half a dozen tries a day, and none for two days before 
a competition. 



Spalding's athletic library 57 



Training Hints 

By Lawson Robertson, I. A. A. C. 

100 Yards — Assuming that the athlete is in general 
good health, and has for a period of two or three weeks 
taken regular exercise to strengthen all parts of his body, 
he is ready for the preliminary training for the 100 yards. 
This should consist of leg exercise work every day for a 
week, and be made up of a bounding from foot to foot for 
a distance varying from 300 yards to half a mile. 

The knees should be raised high in front of the body 
and the arms kept working in unison with the leg action. 
As a matter of fact, it is a better scheme that the arm 
action slightly anticipate the leg drive, as a common fault 
among sprinters is a tendency to let the arms lag, thus 
preventing the harmony of action that is so essential to 
good form. 

This exercise may be continued twice a week during 
the training period, but should not be indulged in too 
frequently, as it is apt to stiffen the muscles. The fol- 
lowing schedule is recommended: 

Monday — Starting practice consisting of breaks of 20 
yards at full speed seven or eight times. Take plenty 
of distance in which to slow down, as quick stopping is 
liable to result in injury, pulled muscles, etc. After 
sufficient rest has been had following the starting prac- 
tice, one or two dashes of probably 80 yards at three-quar- 
ters speed will be found sufficient for the day. 

Tuesday — Starting practice as usual, followed by a 60- 
yard dash at full speed, completing the rest of the 100 
yards at slightly diminished pace. 

Wednesday — Three or four moves from the gun followed 
by a couple of dashes at 40 yards at best speed. Afte.T the 
required rest, 150 yards at three-quarter speed. 

Thursday — Work similar to that of Monday. 



58 

Friday — Slow jogging or bounding exercise for a few 
minutes unless the athlete is to run a race the day follow- 
ing, in which case absolute rest will be found beneficial. 

Saturday or race day — ^Three or four fast starts, and 
if there is no competition a time trial for the 100 yards 
can be made, followed by a slow 300 yards jog. 

A rest of one day a week will be found beneficial, as 
it enables the athlete to recuperate and loosen up his 
muscles. 

220 Yards — Practically the same schedule as that advo- 
cated for the 100 yards can be followed, except that twice 
a week, say Tuesday and Thursday, spins over the 220- 
yard route at three-quarter speed will aid in giving the 
runner the extra endurance necessary. 

440 Yards — ^^This distance is nov/ classified as a sprint- 
ing one, inasmuch as a champion quarter-miler must have 
enough speed to travel 100 yards close to 10 1-5 seconds. 
The following schedule has been found beneficial. Dur- 
ing the first week the training should be confined to slow 
jogging over distances varying from 600 yards to three- 
quarters of a mile in order to build up the leg muscles. 

If the athlete has plenty of natural speed but lacks 
endurance, the following can be recommended: 

Monday — Three or four thirty-yard starts, followed by 
600 yards at a half mile pace. 

Tuesday — After warming up run three 150-yard dashes 
just off best speed, using a long swinging stride. This 
should be followed by a slow quarter. 

Wednesday — Several starts, and after a rest run a hun- 
dred yards or so over a quarter mile at a good pace. 

Thursday — ^Several dashes at 100 yards close to best 
pace, followed by a ^'^two twenty," which should be fast. 

Friday — After jogging a slow "four forty'^ run a quar- 
ter mile, the first 220 yards of which must be at racing 
speed, with the latter half at almost half speed, 

Saturday — If no race is scheduled a time trial can be 



Spalding's athletic library 59 

had at 440 yards. If. however, the athlete finds that lie 
lacks speed the above schedule can be changed by elimi- 
nating the practice runs at distances over 440 yards as 
on Monday and Wednesday, and more sprinting work 
can be substituted. 

880 Yards. 

For the first couple of weeks long easy jogging from 
three-quarters of a mile to two miles should be indulged 
in about four times a week. 

This exercise strengthens the heart and lungs and is a 
good preparation for the following schedule: 

Mondaij — Two or three 50 yard sprints followed, after 
a short rest, by three-quarters of a mile at moderate speed. 

Tuesday — 600 yards at good speed, followed by jogging 
a slow 880 yards. 

Wednesday — Two or three sprints and a slow mile. 

Thursday — 300 yards at best speed, followed by Jogging 
880. 

Friday — Same as Monday. 

Saturday — 880 yards time trial. 

One Mile. 

The preliminary work for this distance should consist 
of alternating long walks through the country with slow 
running at distances over the mile for at least two weeks. 

Monday — 1^ miles at moderate speed followed by one 
sprint of about 75 yards, 

Tuesday — 880 yards at best speed followed by a slow 
jog of 600 yards. 

Wednesday — Two or three 150 yard sprints, with five or 
ten minutes rest between each, followed by jogging slow 
half mile. 

Thursday — % mile at good speed. 

Friday — Rest. 



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Spalding "Olympic Championship" Running and Jumping Shoes 

All of these are fine turned shoes. Finest kangaroo uppers and fine leather soles. The same style 

shoes that we supplied to the American athletes who were so successful at the last Olympic 

Games, and are worn in competition by all prominent athletes in this country. 

Spalding Spalding "Olympic Championship" 

"Monitor" Sprint Running Shoes Short Distance Running Shoes 

Patented May 2. 1916 




(iNo. 30 




No. 3-0. Lightest running sKoe made. Heind 
made spikes. Especially for 1 00 or 220 yards 
races. Strictly bench made throughout. 

Pair, $6.00 

Spalding "Olympic Championship" j Spalding 
Long Distance Running Shoes 



No. 2-0. Extremely HgKt and glove fitting 
Hand made steel spikes. Worn by all cham- 
pions for short distances, especially 440 and 
880 yards and one mile races. . Pair, $6.00 



'* Olympic Championship 
Jumping Shoes 





No. 14H. Specially stiffened soles. Hand made 
steel pikes placed as suggested by champion 
jumpers. Also correct shoes for shot putting, 
weight and hammer throwing. . Pair, $6.00 

Rubber Heels To Be Put Inside Jumping Shoes 

No. E. Inside rubber heels for jumping, hurdling and pole vaulting shoes Pair, 25c. 



No. 14C. For long distance races on athletic 
tracks. Rubber heels, flexible shanks. Hand 
made steel spikes in soles. No spikes in 
heels Pair. $5.00 



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>palding "Olympic Championship" Running and Jumping Shoes 

KM of these are fine turned shoes. Finest kangaroo uppers and fine leather soles. The same style 

shoes that we supplied to the American athletes who were so successful at the last Olympic 

Games, and are worn in competition by all prominent athletes in this country. 



>palding '* Olympic Championship ' 
Walking Shoes 



Spalding " Olympic Championship ' 
Pole Vaulting Shoes 





Jo. 14W. For competition and match races. No. 14V. High cut, special last. Hand made 
These shoes are the same as are used by steel spikes in soles ; one spike in heels. To 

all champion walkers Pair, $5.00 order only. Not carried in stock. Pair, $6.00 

)n special orders we will supply Pole Vaulting Shoes with one high and one low cut shoe at 

no extra charge. 

Spalding COSg^ISSS? Long Distance Running Shoes 





Nio. MH. High cut but light in weight. Well finished inside so as not to hurt the teet m a long 
race. Soecial leather soles, will not wear smooth ; hght leather heels, soft leather uppers . Hand 



'ht. Well finished inside so as not to hurt the feet 
Special leather soles, will not wear smooth ; light leather heels, soft leather uppers. 
! Pair, $5.00 



^o. MO. Low cut. Blucher style. Otherwise same as No. MH. 



5.00 



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^ssmiaia 



MBB 




Spalding Running and Jumping Shoes 





Spalding Indoor Running Shoes 

No. 111. Soft leather, corrugated rubber soles, 
with spikes Pair, $5.00 



Spalding Outdoor Jumping Shoes 

No. 14J. Strong leather ; machine made. Dur- 
able. Steel spikes. Pair, $5.00 • ^5^.00 £>oz. 





Spalding Outdoor Running Shoes 

No. 1 IT. Soft leather uppers, machine made ; solid leather tap sole holds spikes firmly in place. 

Pair, $5.00 * $5^.00 Doz. 
No. 11. Strong leather, machine made " 3.50 "Ar 36,00 Doz. 

Juvenile Outdoor Running Shoes 

No. 12. Leather, good quality, complete with spikes. Sizes 12 to 5 only. . 

Cork Athletic Grips 

No. 2. Best quality cork, with elastic bands 

No. 1. Selected cork, shaped 



Pair. $3.00 




. Pair, 20c. 
. •• 15c. 



Keep the uppers of all running shoes soft and pliable by using Spalding i 
"Dri-Foot." It will greatly add to the wear of shoes. . j . Can, 10c. 

The prices printed in italics opposite items marked with ic will be quoted only on orders for 
one-half dozen or more at one time. Quantity prices NOT allowed on itemsNOT marked withift 



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Spalding Indoor Running and Jumping Shoes 





Spalding Indoor Jumping Shoes 

•lo. 210. Hand made. Strong uppers, rubber 
tap soles and rubber heels. . . Pair, $5.00 



Spalding Indoor Running Shoes 

No. 112S. Good leather uppers and leather 
soles, short spikes. Pair, $4.00 * $',2.00 Doz. 





Spalding Indoor Running Shoes 
Mo. 112. Good leather, rubber tap soles. No 
spikes Pair, $4.00 * $Jt2.00 Doz. 



Spalding Indoor Running Shoes 
No. 114. Leather uppers; rubber tap soles. 
No spikes. . . . Pair, $3.00 * $33.00 Doz. 



Spalding Juvenile Indoor Running Shoes 

No. 115. Leather, good quality, without spikes. Sizes 12 to 5 only Pair, $2.50 

Chamois Pushers 

Mo. 5. Fine Chamois skin. Should be used with running, walking, jump- 
ing and other athletic shoes, especially in long races or during all-around 
competition Pair, 35c. 

No. L. Specially prepared leather, suitable for use with all 
athletic shoes Pair, 25c. 

Use Spalding "Dri-Foot" on uppers and soles of Running 
and Jumping Shoes. It prevents deterioration of the 
leather and keeps them soft and pliable. . Can, 10c. 

The prices printed! n italics opposite items marked witii ir will be quoted only on orders for 
one-half dozen or more at one time. Quantity prices NOT allowed on items NOT marked with if 




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Spalding Athletic Hammers 



No. 16BH. Spalding 
"Official Olympic" 
Brass Shell Head 
16 lb. Hammer (Pat'd 
Aug. 20, 191 2). includ- 
ing patented ball- 
bearing swivel. Sup- 
plied regularly with 
double triangle wire 
grip (Pat'd Dec. 22, 
1914). Each, $10.00 

No.l2BH. 12-lb.Brass 
Shell Head Hammer, 
otherw^ise same as No. 
I6BH. Each, $9.00 




No. 16IHB. 16. lb I 
Solid Iron Head Ham 
mer, including pat 
ented ball-bearinj 
swivel, double trianglt 
wire grip. Each, $4.5(> 

No. 12IHB. 12.1b 
Solid Iron Head HantK 
mer, otherwise samti 
as No. 16IHB. 

Each, $4.0C 
No. 8IH. 8-lb. Solic 
Iron Head Hammer 
without ball - bearinj; 
swivel. Double tri, 
angle grip. Ea., $3.0(t 




No.MG 



Extra Handles for Athletic Hammers 

No. MG. Single Grip Style. Used by many prominent hamme: 
throwers. Supplied separately wth wire handles. Each, $2.0(^ 
No. FH. Double Triangle Grip, complete with wire handle, furn 

ished separately Each, 75© 

Any regular Spalding Hammer listed above furnished with No. MG grii 
instead of double triangle style, on special order, at an extra charge of $1.2£ 



Leather Case for Athletic Hammers 

No. L. Leather Case, to hold either 12 or 16- lb. hammer. . . . Each, $3.CC 

Spalding "Official Olympic" Circles 

No. 9. 7 Foot Diameter Circle. The shot anc 
w^eights are thrown from this size circle; Three 
sections, band iron, painted white. . Each,$10.0C 

No, 19. 8 Foot 2 inch Diameter Circle. For throw- 
ing Discus. Three sections, band iron, painted' 
white Each, $10.0Ci 




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© 



Spalding Athletic Shot 



No. 16BS. Spalding "Official Olymp 

(Patented August 20, 1912). 
No. 12BS. 12-lb. Brass She 





^■^ 


N 


o. 1615. 16.1b. 


No. 


12IS. 


12-Ib. 


Solid Iron. . . 


No. 


24LS. 


24-lb. 


Solid Lead. . 


No. 


24IS. 


24.1b. 


Solid Iron. 


No. 


815. 


8-lb. 


Solid Iron. 


No. 


515. 


5-lb. 


Solid Iron. . . 


No. 


26. 


8-lb. 


Leather covered 


No. 


5. 


5.1b. 


Leather covered 



Sol 



dh 



Regulation 56-lb, Weight 



Lead 



No. 2. Used and endorsed by all weight throwers. 
Packed in box, guaranteed correct in weight. 

Complete, $15.00 

Tambourine 

No. 1. Required when throwing 56-lb. weight for height. 

Each, $10.00 

Spalding Indoor Athletic Shot— Rubber Covered 

Patented December, 1905 

Scientifically made ; perfectly round ; gives fine grip ; has proper 
resiliency w^hen it comes in contact w^ith floor; w^ears longer than 
ordinary leather covered ; lead dust will not sift out ; always full 
weight. 

No. P. 16-lb. Rubber covered Each. $12.00 

No.Q. 12.1b. Rubber covered " 10.00 





Spalding Indoor Shot — Leather Covered 

Method of construction prevents loss of weight even when used 
constantly. 

No. 3. 12.1b. Leather covered Each, $8.00 

No. 4. 16-lb. Leather covered. " 9.00 

Spalding Athletic Implements are best — First, because we have decided that no trouble or 
expense will be spared in their manufacture. Second, because we really know how to make 
them to give best results, and Third, because we have the special skilled workman and the 
machinery, tools, etc., necessary in the manufacture of special implements of this description. 




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The Soaldmer "Official Olympic" Discus No. 5 

Made in accordance with I. A. A. F., 
A. A. U., and Intercollegiate A. A. 

A. A. Specifications. 
This is a duplicate of the original 1 
sample submitted to the I. A. A. F. 
Congress at Lyons, France, June 1 Olh, 
1914, and which was so favorably 
commented upon and unanimously 
adopted for use in all future Olympic 
games. 

No. 5. Spalding "Official Olympic" 
Discuss, wood center. Each, $7.5CX \ 




Spalding Practice AU-Steel Discus 

Patented March 30th, 1915 i 

Same size and shape as the "Official Olympic" style, but made all of steel, which ^j 
forbids its use as an official implement. It is recommended for practice and on I 
account of all-steel construction will give maximum amount of service. I 

No. 15. Spalding "Practice" Discus, all steel Each, $5.00 " 



No. Y. 



Spalding "Youths' Official" Discus 

Wood center. Official for Junior Discus Competitions. 
Spalding "Youths* Official" Discus, w^ood center Each, $5.00 



Spalding "Official Olympic" Javelin 



Made in exact accordance with I. A. A. F., A. A. U., and Intercollegiate A. A. A. A. 

specifications. 
No. 153. Spalding "Official Olympic" Javelin Each, $3.00 

SPECIAL NOTE — Specifications in the Official Rules covering Javelin throwing are such 
that in complying with them the Javelin is necessarily quite frail; hence, if it is not tnrown 
with the proper degree of skill it is easily broken and this through no fault of material or 
workmanship. We are unable, therefore, to guarantee Javelins against breakage while in use. 
We guarantee only against defective material or workmanship, and in 95 cases out of a 100 
where a Javelin shaft is broken we have found it was the result of faulty manipulation or 
awkwardness on the part of the performer. 



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Spalding "Official Olympic" Hurdle 

Patented December 22. 1914 
Three adjustment style. Exclusive Spalding Model. This hurdle is made so that 

it is instantly adjustable to the three different 
heights required in hurdle races under various 
rules, 2 feet 6 inches, 3 feet, and 3 feet 6 inches. 
No. 31, Three adjustment. . . Each, $ 5.00 
Set of forty. '. 140.00 




Spalding Lanes for Sprint Races 



1 



•K\ii> 



No! L 



No. L. Sufficient stakes and cord to lay out four 
100-yard lanes. Stakes are made with pointed 
ends and sufficiently strong so that they can be 
driven into hard ground Set, $15.00 





Competitors' Numbers 


r 








Printed on Heavy Manila Paper or 


Strong Linen | g 


4 


^ 




Manila Linen 






Manila Linen 


1 


n 




Set Set 






Set Set 


1 


1 1 


No. 1. 


1 to 50. $ .38 $2.50 


No. 4. 


1 to 150. 


$1.13 $7.50 


1 


LJ 


No. 2. 


1 to 75. .57 3.75 


No. 5. 


1 to 200. 


1.50 10.00 


■ 


%# 


No. 3. 


1 to 100. .75 5.00 No. 6. 1 to 250. 

sr meets we supply Competitors' Numbers, on Ma 


1.88 12.50 






For larg« 


nila paper only, in se 


ts as follows : 


No. 7. 


1 to 300. . . . Set, $2.25 


No. 16. 


1 to 1200. . . 


. Set 


$9.00 


No. 8. 


1 to 400. . 




" 


3.00 


No. 17. 


1 to 1300. . . 


" 


9.75 


No. 9. 


1 to 500. . 




" 


3.75 


No. 18. 


1 to 1400. . . 


•« 


10.50 


No. 10. 


1 to 600. . 




" 


4.50 


No. 19. 


1 to 1300. . . 


<« 


11.25 


No. 11. 


I to 700. . 




« 


5.25 


No. 20. 


1 to 1600. . . 


«• 


12.00 


No. 12. 


1 to 800. . . 




" 


6.00 


No. 21. 


1 to 1700. . . 


«• 


12.75 


No. 13. 


1 to 900. . 




" 


6.75 


No. 22. 


1 to 1800. . . 


«• 


13.50 


No. 14. 


1 to 1000. . 




i( 


7.50 


No. 23. 


1 to 1900. . . 


«( 


14.25 


No. 15. 


I to 1 100. . 




M 


8.25 


No. 24. 


1 to 2000. . . 


«( 


15.00 



PROMPT mENTIONGIVEH TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS^ 

ADDBESSED TO US ^' 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPUTE LIST OF STORES 
■ SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 
OFTHIS BOOt : I 



^liaa tofffteljufi/ 5, I9i6r Sutjvt ta fhang0 vUheul oafte f«r Cantdim pncei mc «pcciai Canadian CQUihgutt 



TRAOEMARK 



No. 116 
Vaulting Standard 



We supply everything needed 
to fit out an athletic field in 
proper shape, in addition to 
everything needed by officials 
in charge. Write us about 
anything required which is 
not listed in this book. We 
are the " official outfitters " 
for all organized athletic 
bodies in the United States. 



SPALDING 

VAULTING AND JUMP 

STANDARDS 

Substantially built and measure- 
ments are clearly and correctly 
marked. 
No. 116. Graduated in half 

inches, adjustable to 13 feet. 

Complete, $18.00 
No. 106. Inch graduations, 7 feet 

high. . . Complete, $10.00 

Cross Bars 

No. 212. Officially correct. 
Hickory. . . Dozen, $6.00 

No. C. Cord, with Weight Bags 
at either end, for use on Vault- 
ing Standard. . Each, $2.00 



No. 106 
Jump Standard 



X 



PROMPT AnENTlON GIVEN TO I 

Ml COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G. SPALDING &. BROS 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST Df STORES 
SEE INSIDE FRONT GOVEft 
OF THIS BOOK 



'prices in effect /u/i/ 5, 1916^ Subject to change without notice. For Canadian prices see special Canadian Catalogue^ 



KrdUHE SPALDING 



iTRADE-MARK^rr^ 



SPALDING VAULTING POLES 



SPECIAL NOTE — It is our endeavor always to 
supply athletic equipment of the very highest 
qualiiy, and which is at the same time made 
of the most satisfactory material and in the 
best possible manner for the purpose in- 
tended. 

We have discontinued making Spruce 
Vaulting Poles because we find our- 
selves unable to recommend their use 
owing to danger of breakage and pos- 
sibility of serious injury to user. Bam- 
boo poles w^e do recommend, having 
proven to our satisfaction that they 
are superior for vaulting to poles 
made of any wood we know of, 
and, furthermore, if they do 
break while in use, the danger 
of personal injury is very 
remote. 



Spalding Athletic Im 
plements are used by 
every athlete of any 
prominence in either 
club, college or 
school compe- 
tition. 




Owing to differences 
in climatic conditions it 
is impossible to keep 
Bamboo Vaulting Poles 
from cracking. These cracks 
or season checks do not ap- 
preciably detract from the 
merits of the poles* except 
where they are continuous. 
Much of the real strength of the 
pole is in the joints. All of our tests 
would seem to prove that poles 
with season checks may be ac- 
cepted as safe and durable, except 
where the season check is wide open 
and extends through several sections 
on one side. Very frequently such splits 
or season checks can be entirely closed 
by placing the pole in a damp place for 
a day or so. 



Spalding Indoor Bamboo Vaulting Poles 

Tape -wound at short intervals. Thoroughly- 
tested before leaving our factory. Fitted 
with special spike. 



lOBV. 10 ft. Ea.,$4.50 
12BV. 12 ft. " 5.50 



14BV. 14 ft. Ea.,$6.50 
16BV. 16 ft. *• 7.00 



Spalding Outdoor Bamboo Vaulting Poles 

Tape wound at short intervals. Thoroughly tested 
before leaving factory. Rounded end wound with cop- 
per wire and soldered. 

No. lOOBV. 10 ft. Ea., $4.50 1 No. 104BV. 14 ft. Ea..$6.50 
No. 102BV, 12 ft. " 5.50 No. 106BV. 16 ft. " 7.00 



INDOOR POLE VAULTING BOARD 



No. 117. Made up of sectional blocks 
of w^ood placed on end so that spike 
of vaulting pole will not split them. 
Bound in by heavy wood frame. 

Complete, $16.00 




PBOMPTATTENTIOKBIVEMTO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



(dJilVilLUt 



STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOa COMPLETE IIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOOt 



^^^ri^^O^^^tJu^^H^.' SubjKt to ihsingi t»itlml nUict. for Canadian ptiw «« sp^oi Canadian Cfilaloguc 




ACCEPT NO 
SUBSTITUTE 



THE SPALDING 



TRADE-MARK "^K^^ 




>u,s 



Spalding Take-off Board 

The Take-off Board is used for the running broad jump, 
and is a necessary adjunct to the athletic field. Regula- 
tion size; painted white. ...... Each, $3.50 

Spalding Toe Board or Stop Board 

ijsed when putting the 16-lb. shot, throwing weights and 
discus, and is curved on the arc of a 7-foot circle. Toe 
Board, regulation size, painted' white and substantially 
made. Each. $4.00 

Spalding Sector Flags 

"Used for marking the sector within which shot, hammer, 

discus, etc., must be thrown. 
JSicf. S. Spalding Sector Flags, metal. . . Each, 75c. 

Spalding Referees' Whistles 

"No. 7. Nickel-plated, heavy metal whistle. . Each, 35c 

No. 4. Horn Whistle, nickel-plated, heavy metal. " 75c, 

No. 3. Nickel-plated, special deep tone. . . " 25c, 

No. 2. Very reliable. Popular design. . , ." 25c. 

Spalding Foot Ball Officials' Whistles 

No. 3W. Loudest and clearest whistle yet manufactured. 
Can be heard above crowd cheering in places as large as 
the Harvard Stadium or the Yale Bowl. Whistle is at- 
to wrist band of leather. ,. , _.^ . . , . Each, $1.75 

Potato Race Equipment 

T^otatoes, official specifications. ., . . Set of eight, $2.50 
Receptacle for potato race Each, 3.50 

Official Harness for Three-Legged Racing 

Made according to official rules. Complete set of straps for 
fastening men, and with extra straps for keeping fastenings 

at required height in long distance races. 
S^o. 1. Official Harness for Three-Legged Racing. Set, $2.50 



Spalding Official Sacks for Sack Races » 

Strongly reinforced, will wear for a great length of time,, 
and by their construction it is practically impossible for 
racers to work their feet free. These sacks are made il> 

exact accordance with official regulations. 
No. MS. Men's Sack, reinforced, 3 ft. wide. Each, $1.50 

Spalding Official Batons for Relay Races 

No. X. Hollow wood. Correct size, length and weight. Ea., 50c, 

Patent Steel Tape Chain on Patent Electric 

Reel — ^^r Measuring Distances in Athletic Competitions 

Superior steel about 'X inch wide. The reel allows the entire 
tape open to dry and can be reeled and unreeled as easily 
as tapes in cases. Especially adapted to lay off courses 
and long measurements. Last foot only marked in inches. 

No. IB. 100 feet long. Each, $5.00 

No. lie. 200 feet long " 7.50 

Official Athletic Steel Measuring Tape 

No. 1118. 300 feet long; has etched markings throughout; 
feet, inches and eighths. Complete on reel, with con- 
venient wood handle •' •: • Each, $16.50 

Patent "Angle" Steel Measuring Tape 

Especially adapted for laying off base ball diamonds, tennis 
courts and all kinds of athletic fields, both outdoors arid 
indoors. Right angles accurately determined ; also equally 
good for straight or any kind of measuring. Enclosed in hard 
leather case, flush handles with patent automatic handle 
opener; all mountings nickel-plated. Accuracy guaranteed. 
No. A. 50 ft. long, H in. wide. „..,.. Each, $4.00 
No. B. 100 ft. long, Ji in. -^Yide. , .. , . " 6.75 

Spalding Stop Watches 

No. S. Combined Chronometer and Stop Watch. Keeps good 
time and in addition to regular hands has split second hand. 
A very satisfactory time-piece as well as a useful article 
for athletes. Supplied on special orders only. Each, $15.00 

No. 1. Stem winder, nickel-plated case, porcelain dial regis- 
tered to 60 seconds by 1-5 seconds, fly back engaging and 
disengagmg mechanism. .... . . . . Each,, $7.50 



PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TQ 
ANY COMMUNICATIONS « 
. ADOflESSEO TO US 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 
2EE INSIDE FRONT COVER 
OF THIS BOOi; ■ 



Jbjffset Julil 5,1916, Sukjtd to change tellhout notice. ' For Canadian prita jce tpidal Canadian Calalogut, 



9aco 



^SiSTHE SPALDING 



QUALITY 





No. 1 Running Pants 



SPALDING TIGHTS AND TRUNKS 

STOCK SIZES : 21 to 42 inch waist. STOCK COLORS : Worsted knee- 
and full titrhta and trunks, cxcipt whi re otherwise spccificil. Gray, 
White, Navy Blue, Maroon, and Black. Any other color on special 
ordcr.s, no exti-a charpe. Cotton knee and full tiKhts, except where 
otherwise specified, Bleached White, Navy Blue, Black, Maroon or 
Gray. Special orders in any color at no extra charjre. 

Spalding Knee Tights 
No. lOB. Best quality worsted. Pr., $2.50 if $27.00 Doz. 
No. 604. Good quality worsted. " 1.75* 18.90 " 
No. 4B. Sanitary cotton. . . " .50* 5.^0 " 

Spalding Full Length Tights 
No. 1 A. Best worsted, full fashioned. 

Pair. $5.00 * .fSi.OO Doz. 
No. WA. Special wrestling full tights. Specially re- 
inforced. Special orders only Pair, $6.00 

No. 605. Good quality worsted. Pr.. $3.OOir$32.40 Doz. 

No. 3A. Cotton, full quality. White, Black, and Flesh. 

Pair, $1.00 -k $10.80 Doz. 

Spalding Worsted Trunks 

No. 10. Best quality worsted, belt loops. Regular stock 

colors and, on special orders, in any other color. 

Pair, $2.75 • $29.70 Doz. 
No. 2. Good worsted; in stock in Navy or Black. 

Pair, $1.25 * $13.50 Doz. 
Velvet Trunks 
No. 3. Fine velvet. Black, Navy, Royal Blue, Maroon. 
Special colors to order, no extra charge. 

Pair. $1.25 * $13.50 Doz. 
No. 4. Sateen. Black. White. '* .50 • 5.i0 " 

Spalding Y. M. C. A. Trousers 

No. 3. Flannel, good quality Pair, $3.00 

No. 4. Flannel Pair, $2.00 • $21.60 Doz, 

White Duck Trousers 
No. 3. Good quality Pair, $2.00 

Spalding Running Pants 

STOCK SIZES : 22 to 42 inch waist, cut good and full in size. Specify 
size and color when ordering. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4D and 4 are 
made with fly front and laced back. 
No. 1. Special quality White or Black Sateen. . Pair. $1.25 -A" $13.50 Doz. 
No. 2. Good quality White or Black Sateen. . . " 1.00 • ^iO.^0 " 

No. 3. White or Black Sateen " .85* 9.18 " 

No. 4D. White Drill. For indoor or Y.M.C.A. work." .75* 8.10 " 
No. 4F. Adjusting arrangement at sides. In White, Black, Gray Twill. Pr., 60c. 
No. 4C. College style, fly front, wide hips and short legs. No elastic. Made in 

White. Black or Gray Twill Pair, 50c. 

No. 4. White. Black or Gray Twill Pair. 50c. • $5.i0 Doz. 

No. 6. White muslin Pair. 35c. 

Silk Ribbon Stripes down sides of above runningpants. Pr..extra,25c.w^2. 70 Doz, 
Silk Ribbon Stripe around waist of above running pants. " " 25c.* 2.70 

Boys* Knee Pants 
No. 2B. Blue Flannel Y.M.C.A. Knee Pants.with stripe down side. Pair, $2.50 
No. 14B. Quality as No. 4 Y.M.C.A., stripe down side. Pr. ,$1.25ir$13.50 Doz. 

Spalding Wrestling and Gymnasium Wear 
Spalding Wrestling Supporter 

No. WS. Mercerized silk elastic: strong and durable. . . . Each, $2.00 

Spalding Special Pads for Wrestling To be Sewn on Wrestling Tights 
No. 62. Tan leather, padded. Pr.,50c. No. 61. Cloth covered, padded. Pr.,25c. 

Spalding Wrestling Head Harness t 
No. WH. Always useful and sometimes indispensable. . . . Each, $3.00 
The prices printed in italics opposite items marked withifwill be quoted only on orders for on^ 
half dozen or more at one time. Quantity prices NOT allowed on items NOT marked with ■» 



No. 4F 




WS 




No. WH 



fROMPTAnENTION GIVEN TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

IDDHESSEO TD US 



A.G.SPALDING &, BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPUTE LIST OF STORES 
SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 
OF THIS Boot :_ 



^*Mft»i#«/M«5, /9/'6. SukiwttoiJw&viilhQulaitiit, Fa Qvwltm pmit tu Hiftial Canadiaa Catnlogm 



IIKTHE SPALDING 




TRADE-MARK tuTilfi 



Spalding Athletic Shirts 



STOCK SIZES: 26 to 46 inch chest. STOCK COLORS: Worsted shirts, plain 
colors, except where otherwise specified, carried in stock in Gray, White, 
■nn.-,. XT T51 r,i 1 ,. ,^ ^ Navy Blue and Black. Cotton shirts, plain colors, carried in stock in Bleached 

White, Navy Blue, Black, Maroon and Gray. SPECIAL ORDERS. All shirts listed on this page (except where noted), we 
furnish in any colors on special order, at no extra charge. No more than two colors in any striped garment. 




No. lOE 




No. 600D 



orders only, any color. 
No. 600 NV. Same as No. 600V. but any two 
colors striping around neck. Special orders 

only Each, $2.50 * $27.00 Doz. 

No. 600N. Same as No. 600NV. but round 
instead of V-neck. Special orders only. 

Each, $2.50 * $27.00 Doz. 

Woven Necklace on Shirts 

Nos. 600. 601 or 600S Shirts, special orders only, 

with necklace stitched on of different color to 

body of shirt, extra charge of $1.00 per garment. 



Spalding Sleeveless Shirts 

No. lOE. Sleeveless. Best quality worsted. 

Each, $2.50 * $27.00 Doz. 
No. 600. Worsted. . " 1.75* 18.90 " 
No. 700. Sleeveless. Worsted. Lightweight. 

Each, $1.50 * $16.20 Doz. 
No. 6E. Sanitary cotton. " .50* 5.U0 " 

No. 600S. Worsted. Six-inch stripe around chest, 
carried in stock in following combinations of colors : 
Navy with White stripe. Black with Orange stripe. 
Maroon with White stripe. Black with Red stripe. 
Gray with Cardinal stripe. ^Sic\\,%2.00'k $21.60 Doz. 
Special style striping supplied in N0.6OOS Shirts on 

special orders at no extra charge. 
No. 7003. Worsted, light weight. Six-inch stripe 
around chest. Color combinations as No. 600S. 
Special order only. . . Ksich, %\. 7 SiK $18.90 Doz. 
No. 6ES. Sanitary cotton, solid color body, with six- 
inch stripe around chest, in same combinations of 
colors as No. 600S. . . Each, 75c. * $8.10 Doz. 

Spalding Quarter Sleeve Shirts 

No. 601. Worsted. . Each, $2.00 * $21.60 Doz. 

No. 6F. Sanitary cotton. " .50* 5.^0 " 

Spalding Rowing Shirt 

No. YR. Sanitary cotton. Quarter sleeve. Supplied 

in White with any color silk binding around neck 

and sleeves and down front. On special order only. 

Each, $1.25 * $13.50 Doz. 

Spalding Athletic Shirts 
No. 600D, Worsted, sleeveless, with woven sash of 
any color. Special orders only, not carried in stock. 
One only. Each, $3.00. Two or more. Each, $2.50 
No. 6WD. Sanitary cotton, sleeveless, with w^oven 
sash. Navy with White sash. Black with Orange 
sash. Maroon w^ith White sash. Black with Red sash. 
Gray with Cardinal sash. Special orders only, not 
carried in stock. . - . Each, $1.25 * ^^5.50 Z>oz. 
No. 6Ep. Sanitary cotton, sleeveless, solid color 
body, with sash stitched on. Same combinations of 
colors as No. 6WD. . . Eac\i, 75c. ^ $8.10 Doz. 
No. 600V. Worsted, sleeveless, V-neck. Special 
Each, $1.75 * $18.90 Doz. 




No. BOGS 




No. 600V 



Spalding Leotards IS°stoc\""'' 
On special orders only and in any color. 
For Gymnasium Use, Acrobatic Work, etc. 

Leotards are supplied w^ith or without legs, and 
equipped if required with bib or dickie. Men- 
tion color for dickie when ordering. 
No. IL. Combining athletic shirt and trunks. 
Made of best quality worsted. . Each, $5.00 
No. lOL. Good quality worsted. " 4.00 

No. 12L. Worsted " 3.00 

The prices printed in italics opposite items marked with if will be quoted only on orders for 
one-half dozen or more at one time. 



I PROMPTAnENTIONGIVENTOl 
I JiNY COMMUNICATIONS 
i^ ADDBEiSSED TO US 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS, 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOOK 



'Plica In tfftctJidifSr I9I6» Subject to charge wilhou! iKlifC- Fof Canadian priest «ee ^xclat Canadian Catatoga*. 



ACCEPT NO 
SUBSTITUTE 



«^ 





•^ASKl 



SPALDING 
BASKET BALL SHOES 



# • 



No. AB. High cut. 
drab leather, Bluch c- . 
cut; heavy red rub- 
ber suction soles, 
superior quality. 

Pair. $6.00 

No.BBL. Women's. 
Highcut,light; black 
leather, good quality 
red rubber suction 
soles. Pair, $5.00 




%^?.. 



SPALDING GYMNASIUM SHOES 




No. 15. High cut, 
kangaroo uppers, 
genuine elkskin 
soles. Will not slip 
on floor; extra light. 
The correct shoes 
to wear for boxing. 

Pair, $6.00 
No. 155. High cut. 
elkskin soles, and 
will not slip on floor; 
soft and flexible. 

Pair, $5.00 
No. 166. Low cut. 
selected leather, ex- 
tra light and electric 
soles, men's sizes 
only. Pair, $4.00 
No. 66L. Women's. 
Low cut, extra light, 
selected leather up- 
pers. Electric soles. 

Pair. $4.00 
No. 21. High cut. 
blackleather, electric 
soles. Sewed and 
turned, which .-nakes 
shoes extremely 
light and flexible. 

Pair. $3.25 
No. 20. Low cut. 
Otherwise as No.2 1 . 
Sewed and turned 
shoes. Pair. $2.50 
No. 20L. Women's. 
Otherwise as No.20. 
Sewed and turned 
shoes. Pair, $2.50 



No. 188 




Ne.««L 





PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO I 
INY COMMUNICATIONS 
■ ADDRESSED TO US . 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPIETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

■ OF THIS BOOK 



^^ 4l (fft«l /«& ^# 19(6, Siil^td (of^agnmlMt noSOk ■. Fbr Canadian prica xt sptdal Canadian Calaiogut, 



^S^Ke THE SPALDING 



TRADE-MARK "^Sf I 



SPALDING OFFICIAL BASKET BALL 

Cover is made in four sections, with capless ends and of finest and most 
carefully selected pebble grain leather, special tanned. Extra heavy 
bladder, made especially for this ball, of extra quality pure Para rubber 
(not compounded). Each ball packed complete, in sealed box, with raw- 
hide lace and lacing needle, and guaranteed perfect in every detail. 

No. M. Spalding Official Basket Ball. Each, $8.50 




TX/p ni T A R A NTFF ^>s ball to be perfect in material and workmanship and 
VV £« V»V^i^IX^^i^ 1 i-.»-i correct in shape and size when inspected at our factory. 
If any defect is discovered during the first game in which it is used, or during the first 
day's practice use, and, if returned at once, we will replace same under sis guarantee. 
We do not guarantee against ordinary wear nor against defect in shape or size that is 
not discovered 'mmediately after the first day's use. Owing to the superb quality of 
our No. M Basket Ball, our customers have grown to expect a season's use of one ball, 
and at times make unreasonable claims under our guarantee, which we will not allow. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



Il PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO 
1 ANY COMMUNICATIONS^ 


A. G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 


FOR COMPUTE LIST OF STORESlI 
SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 1 



PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. f« 



STANDARD QUALITY 

An •fticte that i* univecsallr given the appellation "SlanJarJ" is therebjr conceded to be the Criterion, to which mtm 
pNnpared all other things of a aimilar nature. For instance, the Cold Dollar of the United States is the Standard uoai 
8$ currency, because it must legally contain a specific proportion of pure gold, and the fact of its being Genuine i* 
gmmrantted by the Government Stamp thereon. As a protection to the users of this currency against counterfeiting mad 
«tlter tricks, considerable money is expended in maintaining a Secret Service Bureau of Elxperts. Under the law, citizea 
manufacturers must depend to a great extent upon Trade-Marks and similar devices to protect themselvea against coun* 
terfeit products — vrithout the aid of "Government Detectives" or "Public Opinion" to assist them. 

Consequently the "Consumer's Protection" against misrepresentation and "inferior quality" rest* entirely upon th* 
integrity and responsibility of the "Manufacturer." 

A. G. Spalding & Bros, have, by their rigorous attention to "Quality," for forty years, caused their Trade. Mark to 
become known throughout the world as a Guarantee of Quality as dependable in their field as the U. S. Currency is in its fieW 

The necessity of upliolding the guarantee of the Spalding Trade-Mark and maintaining the Standard Quality of theil 
Athletic Goods, is, therefore, as obvious as is the necessity of the Government in maintaining a Standard Currency. ( 

Thus each consumer is not only insuring himself but also protecting other consumers when he assists a Reliabl« 
Manufacturer in upholding his Trade-Mark and ail that it stands for. Therefore, we urge all users of our Athletic 
Goods to assist us in maintaining the Spalding Standard of Excellence, by insisting that our Trade-Mark be plainly 
•tamped on all athletic goods which they buy, because without this precaution our best efforts towards' maintaining 
Standard Quality and preventing fraudulent substitution will be ineffectual. 

Manufacturers of Standard Articles invariably suffer the reputation of being high-priced, and this sentiment ia fostered 
and emphasized by makers of "inferior goods," with whom low prices are the main consideration. 

A manufacturer of recognized Standard Goods, with a reputation to uphold and a guarantee to protect, must nece«> 
«arily have higher prices than a manufacturer of cheap goods, whose idea of and basis of a claim for Standard Quality 
depends principally upon the eloquence of the salesman. ' ^y9 -* 

We know from experience that there is no quicksand more unstable ^^^^^O^^i^ X^ ^ -*^ 

than poverty in quality and we avoid this quicksand by Standard Quality. ^•^^I^f ^^mC^^S^^^/^^^^^^ 



STANDARD POLICY 

A Standard Quality must be inseparably linked to a Standard Policy. 

Without a definite and Standard Mercantile Policy, it is impossible for a Manufacturer to long maintain a Standard Qualitjr. 

To market his goods through the jobber, a manufacturer must provide a profit for the jobber as well as for the retetil 
dealer. To meet these conditions of Dual Profits, the manufacturer is obliged to set a proportionately high list price oo 
hi* goods to the consumer. 

To enable the glib salesman, when booking his orders, to figure out attractive profits to both the jobber and retailer, 
these'^high list prices are absolutely essential; but their real purpose will have been served when the manufacturer h«« 
secured his order from the jobber, and the jobber has secured his order from the retailer. 

However, these deceptive high list prices are not fair to ihe consumer, who does not, and, in reality, is not ever 
expected to pay these fancy list prices. 

When the season opens for the sale of such goods, with their misleading but alluring high list prices, the retailes 
begins to realize his responsibilities, and grapples with the situation as best he can, by offering "special discounts." which 
vary with local trade conditions. 

Under this system of merchandising, the profits to both the manufacturer and the jobber are assured': but as there i* 
no stability maintained in the prices to the consumer, the keen competition amongst the local dealers invariably leads toa 
demoralized cutting of prices by which the profits of the retailer are practically eliminated. ^^ 

This demoralization always reacts on the manufacturer. The jobber insists on lower, and still lower, prices. Ilu> 
manufacturer, in his turn, meets this demand for the lowering of prices by the only way open to him. viz.: the cheapening 
and degrading of the quality of his product. 

The foregoing conditions became so intolerable that, ;i 7 years ago, in 1899, A. G. Spalding 6c Bros, determined to rectify 
this demoralization in the Athletic Goods Trade, and inaugurated what has since become known as "The Spalding Policy.** 

The "Spalding Policy" eliminates the jobber entirely, so far as Spalding Goods are concerned, and the retail dealer 
secures the supply of Spalding Athletic Goods direct from the manufacturer by which the retail dealer is assured a fair. 
legitimate and certain profit on all Spalding Athletic Goods, and the consumer is assured a Standard Quality and la 
\ protected from imposition. 

The " Spalding Policy" is decidedly for the interest and protection of the users of Athletic Goods, and acts in two ways: 

FIRST.— The userls usared of genuine Official StandanI Athletic Goods. ^ 
SECOND.— Ai manufacturer!, we can proceed with confidence in purchuinr at the proper time, the TAIT best raw 
■■ • • • -I « - re of our various good*, well ahead of ■■ 



material* required in (be manufacture of our various goods, well ahead of their respective season*, and Ihi* «n«Mc« i 
vide the aece**ary quantity and absolutely maintain the Spalding Standard of Quality. 

^ All retail dealers handling Spalding Athletic Goods are requested to supply consumers at our regular printed catalogua 
prices — neither more nor less — the same prices that similar goods are sold for in our New York, Chicago and other storea. 
All Spalding dealers, as well &s users of Spalding Athletic Goods, ere treated exactly alike, and no special reb<Uea on 
discriminations are allowed to anyone. 

This, bfietly, is the "Spalding Policy." which has already been m successful operation for the past 17 year^ and wdl 
be indefinitely continued. 

la other %vord«, "The Spalding Policy" is a "square deal" for everybody. 

A. G. SPALOINC h. BROS. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



umm 



ATHLETIC lil '™"'-™ p"^ 



A separate book covers every Athletic Sport 

and is Official and Standard 

Price 10 cents each 




STLOufi ,904 SPALDING PARlf'igoO 

ATHLETIC GOODS 

ARE THE STANDARD OF THE WORLD 



A. G. Spalding ^ Bros. 

MAINTAIN WHOLESALE and RETAIL STORES tn the FOLLOWING CITIES 
NEW YORK CHICAGO ST. LOUIS 

BOSTON MILWAUKEE KANSAS CITY 

PHILADELPHIA DETROIT SAN FRANXISCO 

NEWARK CINCINNATI LOS ANGELES 

ALBANY CLEVELAND SEATTLE 

BUFFALO COLUMBUS SALT LAKE CITY 

SYRACUSE INDIANAPOLIS PORTLAND 

ROCHESTER PITTSBURGH MINNEAPOLIS 

BALTIMORE WASHINGTON ATLANTA ST PAUL 



LONDON/ENGLAND 

LIVERPOOL. ENGLAND 
BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND 
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND 
EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND 
GLASGOW. SCOTLAND 



LOUISVILLE DENVER 
NEW ORLEANS DALLAS 
MONTREAL, CANADA 
TORONTO. CANADA 
PARIS. FRANCE 
SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA 



A GSpaldm^ A Bros, and where dl 
irr made are located m r^c follo^i 



NEW YORK CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO CRICOPEE, MASS. 
BROOKLYN BOSTON PBII^PEUPHIA LONPON, ENe. 



